A RYDE man deliberately spat at a police officer who went to his aid during the pandemic last year. 

Luke Henderson admitted assaulting a police officer, by beating, while he was acting in the exercise of his duties, in Petersfield, Hampshire, on July 6 last year.

Police went to the 40-year-old's former address after the South Central Ambulance Service had been contacted by Henderson saying he had a knife, had already injured himself and had been stabbed by somebody else.

He added he wanted the police to attend to hurt them, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Henderson, of West Hill Road — the sole carer of his mother since he moved to the Island — was lying on the sofa when officers arrived.

One officer retrieved a kitchen knife near him, but Henderson tried to grab it back, the court was told.

Police also found a vast amount of prescription drugs and broken glass on the floor, together with a pair of garden secateurs — all within close proximity to him.

Henderson struggled with officers who were then forced to restrain him. While PC Scanlan was holding him down, Henderson turned and spat at him, which landed on his thigh.

PC Scanlan said: "I am appalled by the actions and behaviour of Henderson during this incident. 

"Not only has he acted in an abusive and aggressive manner towards me and my colleagues — there to offer him support and safeguarding — he intentionally spat at me."

Henderson, with no previous convictions, made 'no comment' responses to police in interview.  

Mrs Smout said: "As the spittle landed on the leg, and not on the face, I cannot argue there was any disease transmission.

"It was quite clear when police attended his home, he appeared to be having some kind of mental health episode."  

For Henderson, Jim Osborne said his client claimed a solicitor advised him to make a 'no comment' interview.

"He suffers severe mental health issues, hence why all the tablets were strewn across the floor," said Mr Osborne.

"He said he is ashamed of himself for his actions. As his mother's sole carer, he gave up alcohol in December."

Magistrates ordered Henderson to pay a £120 fine, with £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

When sentencing Henderson, presiding magistrate, Janice Routledge, told him: "There is no compensation to pay. Although you caused the officer distress, it is part and parcel of the job, to an extent."