A patient suspected of having the coronavirus has been jailed after he deliberately coughed in the face of a nurse who was treating him.
Lance King, 30, was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital as police were concerned for his welfare after displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
But his behaviour became erratic and he started moving around the A&E department. He was told to get back in his cubicle by a staff nurse and a clinical support worker who were trying to keep a safe distance from him.
But he moved forward towards the nurse and intentionally coughed in her face. He then started to 'make a noise in his throat as if he was about to bring up something' - and spat at her colleague.