Hartlepool man spat in face of NHS worker and claimed he had Covid - then later took machete to Middleton Grange shopping centre

Keith Casey, 27, spat at a security officer at James Cook Hospital while refusing treatment after taking an overdose, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He kicked out and swore at hospital staff who were trying to help him before deliberately spitting in the security officer’s face.

Paul Newcome, prosecuting, said: “This was a particularly unpleasant act given what the defendant said next which was that he had Covid.”

The victim said he was ‘disgusted and revolted’ by Casey’s actions on August 10. Although he did not have coronavirus, it was known that he had hepatitis.

Then on October 17, he was found with a machete inside Middleton Grange shopping centre.

Mr Newcombe said Casey showed it under his coat to police and security staff when he was approached after shop assistants raised the alarm.

He said he was in town to buy a sharpener and had the blade to do a neighbour’s garden.

Casey, of no fixed address, was on bail at the time for taking part in a theft with 41-year-old David Whitehead on April 7.

They went into the male victim’s home in Kimberley Street before Whitehead spotted two £5 notes and a phone on a coffee table.

Whitehead said to the man: “Look just give us your stuff and there will be no chew”.

The victim, who was recovering from Covid, allowed Whitehead to take the property and he and Casey ran out.

Whitehead later returned it.

Both admitted theft and Casey pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and possessing a blade in public.

Casey’s barrister Stephen Constantine said his client had tried to take his own life following the death of his father and brother within weeks.

Appealing to the judge for compassion, Mr Constantine said the spitting and carrying the machete were committed in “somewhat unusual circumstances”.

Jailing him for 15 months Recorder Fiona Davies said: “The fact remains that was a deeply unpleasant, revolting thing to do.”

Rupert Doswell, defending Whitehead, of Wynard Mews, Hartlepool, said the value of the theft was low and the property was returned.

He was given an 18-month community order.

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