South Yorkshire offender threatened with jail after spitting in police vehicle during coronavirus crisis

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court - sitting at Sheffield Crown Court - heard today, May 26, how Dean Watson, aged 38, of Lang Avenue, Barnsley, was found lying outside the Yorkshire Bank, on Peel Street, in Barnsley, despite a town centre ban.

Susan Fisher, prosecuting, said Watson is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from the town centre and from lying on the ground in Barnsley.

She added police found him on Sunday, May 24, and he was swearing.

Ms Fisher said Watson was placed in a police van and he was abusive and spat inside the vehicle which will need a deep-clean.

She said: “Officers could hear a spit during the course of the journey and when they opened the cage in the back of the van they saw saliva running down the cage glass in the vehicle.”

Watson, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to breaching the CRIMBO and to causing damage to the police vehicle.

Kevin Ripley, defending, said Watson had gone to Barnsley town centre because he claimed his mother and auntie had been arguing at home.

He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge imposed on Saturday, May 23, for a theft and for causing criminal damage by previously spitting in another police vehicle. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation for this spitting offence.

Kevin Ripley, defending, said after Watson was arrested for the theft he became unwell and was taken to hospital and was there nine hours without eating.

Watson felt police had taunted him as they ate their tea, according to Mr Ripley, and he became agitated and was placed in a police vehicle where he spat for the first time.

Mr Ripley added Watson has mental health problems and a tumour in his neck so he struggles with saliva.

District Judge Grace Leong sentenced Watson to a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement and an eight-week curfew and ordered him to pay £85 costs, a £95 victim surcharge and £100 compensation.

She warned Watson: “If I see you again for spitting, you’re going to jail.”

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