Woman jailed for spitting in PC's mouth (From Bicester Advertiser)

Woman jailed for spitting in PC's mouth

9:10am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A WOMAN was branded “disgusting” by a judge after she spat in a police officer’s mouth.

Marina Harries, 45, of Roman Way, Bicester, was jailed for five months yesterday at Oxford Crown Court.

She was convicted of assault, criminal damage and using threatening, abusive or insulting language on June 1 last year.

Hugh Williams, prosecuting, told the court police were called to Sainsbury’s in Oxford’s Westgate Centre after reports that Harries had stolen two cans of lager.

He said she resisted arrest, shouted abuse and during a struggle to get away spat at Pc Jamie Thornton’s face and on the inside of his police car.

Mr Williams said: “Some of the spittle went into his mouth, which was of concern because she had been tagged as having Hepatitis C.”

Harries also admitted possessing an offensive weapon in a public place in Barton Village Road on August 21 last year.

Again, Mr Williams said, the police were called and the defendant became aggressive, this time producing a five-inch kitchen knife and lunging at officers.

Benjamin Long, defending, said his client had struggled with alcohol and drug use, but now admitted “she needs help”.

Judge Gordon Risius sentenced her to three months for assault, three months for criminal damage and three months for failing to surrender to magistrates, all to run at the same time. He also gave her a consecutive two-month sentence for the weapon offence and ordered her to pay £100 compensation to the police officer.

He added: “This was disgusting behaviour.”