Chesterfield man spat “blood” on police officers at start of pandemic
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Two officers were exposed to the risk of being infected with Covid when Luke Hatcher’s blood-mixed saliva landed on them during an assault on March 7, last year.
Derbyshire Police say the vile assault also affected the police constables’ families - who shared the possibility of contracting the deadly virus.
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Hide AdHatcher, of Ingleton Road, was on licence at the time of the offence at Belper Market Place.
He initially denied the crime however he admitted two counts of assault by beating this month.
A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: “An assault of this nature, at any time but in particular at the start of the pandemic, is especially distressing.
"Officers faced an understandably anxious time - with any family members also facing the risk of contracting Covid-19.
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Hide Ad“We take assaults of emergency workers very seriously and will always investigate any incidents where our officers or staff have suffered.”
Hatcher admitted two counts of assault by beating and was jailed for six weeks suspended for 12 months.
The 28-year-old was also made to pay £300 compensation, £300 court costs and £122 victim surcharge.
In a poll of rank-and-file officers by the Police Federation earlier this year 32 per cent said someone they thought to be infected had threatened to breathe or cough on them.
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Hide AdSome 21 per cent of officers said a suspected infected person tried to spit at them.