Man who spat at Glasgow police officer and joked about coronavirus jailed
George Crean had been drinking when he was pulled up by the officer in April
A man who spat at a police officer and joked about coronavirus in Glasgow has been jailed for a year.
George Crean, 34, lifted down his face mask to assault PC Charlene Blackie in back in April.
Crean was initially pulled over because he was drinking alcohol outside St Georges Cross subway station in Glasgow.
The city’s sheriff court heard Crean was “belligerent” towards the officers and appeared drunk.
Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He was wearing a surgical style face mask at the time.
“On being informed he was under arrest for another matter, he removed his face mask and spat towards PC Blackie.
“He narrowly missed her right shoulder and shouted ‘Coronavirus, coronavirus’ and laughed as he did this.”
Crean was arrested with a spit hood applied before replying “F*** off” to caution and charge.
He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the assault on PC Blackie.
Ian McLelland, defending, said Crean was playing football for Partick Thistle Charity Trust and was pursuing an interest in coaching.
Mr McLelland added: “He has little or no recollection of the incident and was shocked and wanted to apologise.
“He is at a loss to understand why he was reacting to the police officer who was arresting him.
“He was showing no symptoms, he doesn’t have the virus and was wearing a mask as he thought that was what he was supposed to do.”
Sheriff Joseph Platt told Crean that he committed a “dreadful offence.”
He said: “Police are in the front line and would have been concerned about what was happening at the time.
“To be treated in this way, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“You were well aware of the conditions as you were wearing a mask and there would have been a level of concern for the officer before she was tested.”
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