Man who spat in police officer’s face and shouted ‘He’s got Covid now’ is jailed

Edward Stewart also subjected a gym user in the city to a campaign of false allegations about being a paedophile.

The 37-year-old admitted offences of assault on police, common assault, harassment and improper use of a public electronic communications network to cause anxiety.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard police were called to Stewart’s Utility Street hostel on July 19 this year amid reports he was trying to start fights with staff and other residents.

He gritted his teeth, squared up to an officer and pushed him before being restrained and escorted from the building.

A prosecution lawyer submitted: “Once outside the defendant turned to face (another constable), spat directly in his face and said ‘He’s got Covid now’.”

In a separate incident on April 4 last year Stewart entered Anytime Fitness at Great Victoria Street in the city and accused a man inside of being a paedophile and having child pornography on his computer.

He also claimed the victim had been sacked from his previous employer due to these allegations.

At one point he went into a staff office to act in a “physically intimidating” way towards the other man, the court was told.

“The victim then became alarmed and started to remove the defendant from the gym due to what he had been shouting at him,” the prosecutor said.

Outside, Stewart allegedly pulled a syringe needle from his pocket and pointed it at him.

As part of the campaign he continued to text the victim, threatening him with the police.

The Crown lawyer added: “He has also submitted a written report to the victims employer via their website outlining these allegations of paedophilia and child pornography which, it should be said, are false and malicious.”

Defence barrister Sean Mullan revealed Stewart suffers from severe mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

“He was leading a chaotic lifestyle and between addresses,” counsel said.

“His mental illness has clearly impaired his judgment, and I acknowledge they are very serious matters.”

Imposing a total sentence of six months imprisonment, District Judge George Conner condemned Stewart’s behaviour.

He said: “Spitting on anyone at any time is thoroughly objectionable, but in the current regime it’s just beyond the pale.”