A disgusting thug who spat in the faces of a nurse and a police officer has been jailed.
Chad Procter told the female PC he had covid before carrying out the vile attack at a hospital then spat on the nurses cheek months later.
The first attack happened on April 22 last year in the early hours of the morning at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Proctor was under arrest but was taken there after claiming he had taken tablets and had covid.
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Michael Bunch, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court he was abusive to the officer and nurses and kicked out while in a wheelchair and refused to speak to medical staff. He added: "He stood up from the wheelchair, walked towards the officer and spat in her face, saying 'I hope you die you blonde s**g, I've got covid'.
"It landed on her face and he spat a second time, which landed on her overalls." The officer said in a victim statement: "I don't expect to be physically assaulted or spat at while carrying out my duties. It was completely uncalled for. We all know this is a deadly virus and should not be used as a weapon."
Procter ended up back at the same hospital on September 18 amid concern he had been injured. He was abusive and aggressive to the nurse and threatened to "kick the f****** place to bits". He kicked out at a large number of pieces of medical equipment, including an expensive ultrasound machine.
Mr Bunch said: "He threatened to smash the victim's face in and said he would put his fist through his face. He also interrupted others being being treated, including a very elderly person in a side room."
Procter decided to leave but the nurse was concerned he might still have a cannula in his arm, which could have caused him harm, so went outside after him. Mr Bunch said: "He initially appeared okay but as he tried to pat his arm to find the cannula he screamed 'f*** off' you're assaulting me.
"He hockled then spat at him, hitting him on the cheek and uniform." The nurse said in a victim impact statement: "This was a disgusting attack against an NHS worker at the height of covid 19. I've been so worried about it, not only covid but any other viruses I could've picked up."
Procter, 34, of Elms Road, Sunderland, who has 36 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. He also admitted four shop thefts and asked for a further 17 to be taken into account, totalling around £3,000. He was jailed for a total of nine months.
Recorder Jonathan Sandiford KC told him: "The courts have a public duty to protect police officers and staff such as nurses, who are vulnerable to being attacked, in particular when covid is still us, are vulnerable to people who may try to infect them or cause fear that's going to happen."
Tony Cornberg, defending, said: "He had always worked and had a business. He seems to have completely lost his way after the breakdown of a relationship about two years ago and losing his job. He turned to drugs - crack cocaine and heroin - and gambling."
Procter himself added: "I would like to apologise for my disgusting behaviour, I'm very ashamed of myself. I'm a different person while on drugs. I promise you wont see me before you again."
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