POLICE have welcomed the jail sentences being dealt out for “disgusting” Covid-related assaults on officers after a Bradford man was locked up for threatening to spit at two constables while claiming to be infected with the virus.

John Akram was jailed for six months at Bradford Crown Court for assaulting the female officers as emergency workers and criminal damage to a police van that had to be deep cleaned after he spat in it.

Last night, Brian Booth, chair of the West Yorkshire Police Federation, told the Telegraph & Argus: “We have had a significant increase of Covid related assaults against my colleagues over the past few months.

“It’s disgusting, dangerous and totally unacceptable. I’m glad that the courts are taking these incidents seriously and handing out prison sentences.”

Akram, 52, of Priestthorpe Road, Bingley, caused the officers anxiety and distress, forcing one to have a coronavirus test and leaving both isolating from vulnerable family members.

Prosecutor Clare Walsh said he was arrested in Manningham, Bradford, on June 18 for an unrelated matter and the two officers were transporting him to the police station in a marked police van.

Akram, who had been isolating because he had symptoms of the virus, began spitting in the vehicle, the court heard on Friday.

He was abusive and aggressive, kicking the van, swearing at the officers and threatening to spit at them.

He had saliva round his mouth and was demanding to be taken to hospital.

One officer said in her victim personal statement: “During a global pandemic I do not expect to be threatened by someone with Covid symptoms.

“I was wary of being around my partner afterwards in case I was infected and I stopped shopping for my grandmother who was shielding because of the virus.”

The second officer stated: “I do not expect to be threatened with being spat at, even more so by someone who claims to have the virus.”

Akram had 39 previous convictions for 88 offences including assaults on police officers.

Conor Quinn, his barrister, said he was doing voluntary work on the canal in Bradford before he committed the offences and was capable of being a useful member of the community.

Recorder Matthew Happold told Akram: “This is pretty disgraceful behaviour, and in the current circumstances with a global pandemic.”

Although both police officers were “robust individuals” they were left feeling threatened and anxious and fearing for vulnerable family members.

After the case, a police spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police officers and staff work tirelessly to protect their communities and the most vulnerable, and any assaults against them – especially when they are simply doing their job – are unacceptable.

“Those who behave in this way towards police employees or any other emergency services staff can expect to have action taken against them.”

In May, John Daly who spat on a police officer through a cell door was jailed for six months at Bradford Crown Court.

He had been apprehended in the city during the pandemic “tooled up” at night in dark clothing and gloves.

After he was put in a cell, he spat at an officer, the spittle landing on his shoulder.

Daly, 23, of Howarth Crescent, Swain House, Bradford, pleaded guilty to going equipped for theft, assaulting a police officer as an emergency worker and criminal damage to a cell.

A number of high-profile court cases have been reported in the T&A since the pandemic began.

In April, Lianne Mottershead was jailed for eight months for spitting at a police officer in Bradford while claiming to be infected with coronavirus.

Mottershead, 30, of Huddersfield, kicked an officer in the groin while heavily intoxicated.

She was taken to Trafalgar House Police Station, near the city centre, where she spat at another officer and told the custody sergeant she had coronavirus and hoped they would “die of corona.”

Mottershead was jailed at Leeds Magistrates’ Court for two offences of assault by beating a police officer acting as an emergency worker.

The national chair of the Police Federation, John Apter, has earlier welcomed news that offenders found guilty of “weaponising” coronavirus by spitting at police officers were being jailed.

Mr Apter said: “During this difficult period seeing more offenders being jailed for this disgusting and dangerous act is very welcome.”