Man who spat at police after breaching coronavirus social distancing rules in Padiham jailed

David Mott, 40, was spotted in a car with two other people on Green Lane, Padiham, when he was stopped by officers at around 1.45am on March 24.

He was given advice about new Government guidelines to stay at home but became "abusive", according to police.

Mott then proceeded to cough and spit at officers on "several occasions".

Sgt Linda Haywood from Lancashire Police said: “We as police officers are here to protect the public and should not be exposed to unnecessary risks in doing so by mindless acts such as Mr Mott displayed. It is good to see that the court are taking these types of incidents seriously.”

Mott, of no fixed address, appeared at Blackburn magistrates yesterday (March 25th).

He was charged with using threatening behaviour towards a police officer, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a controlled class B drug.

Mott was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison after pleading guilty to all three charges.

A 23-year-old man from Accrington who was in Mott’s company at the time of the incident also received a penalty notice for disorder.

The court stated that this was a "particularly offensive and dangerous public order offence at this particular time coughing and spitting towards an officer".