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A man who spat on a police officer in the middle of the coronavirus lockdown was today jailed.

Stephen Iolo Budski was given an immediate prison term following his assault on the officer in Blaenau Ffestiniog yesterday.

Budski, 44, of Morfa Gaseg, Llanfrothen in Gwynedd, pleaded guilty to the charge at a hearing at North East Wales Magistrates court in Mold this afternoon.

The court also heard how Budski covered his cell in faeces following his arrest.

Jailing him to 18 weeks, District Judge Gwyn Jones said he would be “failing in my duty” by not imposing an immediate jail term.

North Wales Police described Budski's behaviour as "abhorrent".

He was arrested yesterday following a public order offence after police were called to reports of two men arguing in the street.

Prosecutor Diane Williams told the court when police arrived, Budski, who was "clearly intoxicated", became aggressive and began swearing as they approached him.

When they made attempts to arrest him Budski spat onto the police car so officers were forced to put a spit guard over his head.

He was taken to Caernarfon police station where he was said to have been "obstructive and sarcastic" to the custody sergeant, Ms William told the court.

He spat again "with such force" it penetrated through the spit guard.

The court heard the saliva landed on an officer’s uniform, but did not touch her skin.

Ms Williams said the officer was "horrified" by the incident, given the current pandemic.

He later spat in the cell again and then defecated in it and covered it in faeces.

As a result, Budski was also charged with criminal damage to police property at Caernarfon Police Station, and possession of cannabis.

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Jailing him for 18 weeks, District Judge Gwyn Jones said it was clear this was a "deliberate spitting at the officer" at a time where "concerns are significantly heightened".

The judge said: "Yesterday, you were spoken to by police officers in the Ffestiniog area and given certain words of advice.

"Had you followed that advice, you would have been able to move on back to Llanfrothen without any further difficulty.

"You did not behave in a way one would expect and showed aggression towards the officers to such an extent they had to put a spit hood on you.”

The judge added: “This is a case where you deliberately spat, knowing full well concerns are significantly heightened.

“Taking everything into account, there is only one sentence.

“I would be failing in my duty if I did not impose immediate custody.

“Members of the public have to accept that during these troubled times, you cannot act in this way.”

Craig Hutchinson, a duty solicitor defending Budski, said his client was "deeply ashamed by his behaviour" and had never behaved in such a violent way in the past.

Mr Hutchinson said his client was under the influence of alcohol, and while that was not an excuse for his behaviour, Budski had "very little memory of the incident".

District Judge Jones said there would be no separate penalty for the three other offences but ordered Budski to pay £120 in compensation to the officer.

District Inspector Matt Geddes, said: “This is a truly vile offence at any time, however the current risks associated with coronavirus make this an even more abhorrent offence which has caused the officer involved a significant amount of distress.”

Last week, Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC, said: “Emergency workers are more essential than ever as society comes together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic."

He added: “Let me be very clear: this is a crime and needs to stop.

"The CPS stands behind emergency and essential workers and will not hesitate to prosecute anybody who threatens them as they go about their vital duties.”

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