A homeless man spat in a Conservative MP’s face at Paddington station for not giving him a cigarette, a court has heard.
Kenny Defelice, 44, attacked Jamie Wallis, the MP for Bridgend, before resisting arrest and telling police officers he “has Covid”.
The politician said the incident, on September 24 last year, left him “in shock”, Westminster magistrates court heard.
Defelice admitted assault and obstructing a PC, and was sentenced on Friday to a 12-month community order with 20 days of rehab and a ban on returning to Paddington Station.
“This was an appalling offence”, said District Judge Louisa Cieciora, who also ordered Defelice to pay Mr Wallis £200 in compensation.
“It is one of the most disgusting things people can do and you knew that.
“You did it to try and denigrate him, possibly to humiliate him.”
Defelice had recently been released from St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington while Mr Wallis, the UK’s first openly trans MP, was catching a train from London to his Bridgend constituency.
“At around 7.50am he was on the phone to his daughter, having a conversation with a packet of cigarettes in his hand”, said prosecutor David Roberts.
“The defendant and a woman approached, asking for a cigarette, but as the victim was on the phone with his daughter he said ‘no’.
“The requests were repeated, numerous times, and escalated to an altercation which became heated.
“The defendant became angry, and the victim ended the call to his daughter. He said to the defendant had they waited for him to end the call, he probably would have given them a cigarette, but now he didn’t want to.
“The defendant went towards him in an aggressive manner, and the female blocked, saying it was not worth it.
“The defendant spat towards the victim, with some of the spit landing on the upper chest and chin.
“The victim instinctively responded by wiping it away, and described himself as being in shock.
“The defendant and the woman kicked his bag on the floor.”
Police were alerted to the incident, and Defelice “tried to pull away” as he was being arrested.
“He kept on saying ‘I’m going to do you’ and he may have attempted to headbutt the officer”, said Mr Roberts.
“The officer also said when watching back the bodyworn video he noticed the defendant shouted ‘I have Covid’ during the interaction.”
Charlie Austin-Groome, representing Defelice, said the drug and alcohol addict was homeless at the time of the incident, but has now found stable accomodation in Harlesden.
He said Defelice had attempted to kill himself three times in the past, including leaving himself in a year-long coma, and “struggles to be alone”.
“He holds his hands out and is bitterly aware he now faces the consequences of his actions on that day”, he added.
Defelice, who admitted assault by beating and obstructing a constable, was ordered to pay £20 a month in compensation to Mr Wallis from his benefits.
