A South Derbyshire man who claimed to have had COVID-19 has been jailed after coughing on police officers.

The incident happened at around 3.30pm on Thursday, April 2, when officers were called to a canal path in Swarkestone, following reports from members of the public that a man was being abusive and threatening.

When the officers arrived, they found a man carrying a two foot piece of wood and waving it above his head in a threatening manner.

He was arrested and the piece of wood taken off him.

While officers spoke to the man and asked if he was, or had been suffering from the virus, he replied: "I've already had it, I've got over it and now I am a super spreader so…"

He then coughed in the direction of the three officers.

Christopher McKendrick, who is 58-years-old and lives in Swarkestone, was arrested.

He was later charged with the offences: Common assault, Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, Assault by beating of an emergency worker and Using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Mr McKendrick appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on April 3 where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

He was jailed for a total of 16 weeks and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.

Inspector Chris Thornhill, who is in charge of policing in South Derbyshire, said: "I'm pleased that the courts have taken swift and decisive action in this case, my officers are on the front-line and are putting themselves at risk to protect others.

"They spoke to the arrested man to get information that would help protect them and others and did not deserve the response they got from him."