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Whitstable man coughed in police officer's face and suggested he had coronavirus

A man who suggested he might have coronavirus before coughing in a police officer's face has been put behind bars just two days later.

Stephen Taylor, from Whitstable, was arrested after officers were called to a disturbance in West Cliff in the early hours of Monday.

Stephen Taylor, from Whitstable, was arrested after police officers were called to a disturbance in West Cliff. Picture: Google Street View
Stephen Taylor, from Whitstable, was arrested after police officers were called to a disturbance in West Cliff. Picture: Google Street View

Taylor, of West Cliff, was being aggressive when they arrived at the scene of the incident.

An officer asked the 26-year-old if he had been in contact with anyone with the coronavirus and he said "yeah" - before leaning forward and coughing in the officer's face.

Taylor was arrested and admitted the offence in interview. He was charged later the same day.

He admitted assaulting an emergency worker at Medway Magistrates' Court yesterday and was jailed for 120 days.

DI Tristan Hardiman said: "Actions of this kind towards police officers, or any members of the emergency services, are completely unacceptable, especially during a public health emergency.

"There is absolutely no excuse for Taylor’s actions and the court has recognised this with an immediate custodial sentence being imposed."

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here.

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