A MAN has been banned from driving and sentenced to 12 weeks in prison after spitting at an officer who tried to breathalyse him.

Lee Jonathan Reilly was pulled over in Ashley on Saturday, March 21, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The 38-year-old, from Wrenbury Avenue in Withington, Manchester, failed to undertake a breath test without reasonable excuse to do so.

He then spat at PC Matt Blythe, the Cheshire Police officer who was dealing with the incident, and racially abused him.

Reilly pleaded guilty to all three charges at Stockport Magistrates’ Court, where he was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay compensation of £50.

In sentencing Reilly, the court said the offence was so serious because it was ‘a deliberate attack on a public servant carrying out public duties’.

The court found that the offence was racially aggravated and took into consideration his previous offences.

Following the sentencing, Chf Insp Jez Taylor, of Cheshire Police, said: “My officers are out there 24-seven protecting the public, catching criminals and preventing crime.

“They know the job can be dangerous, but they should never be subjected to assault or harassment during the course of their duties.

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“Spitting is a disgusting act which you might think is insignificant, but it is classed as the assault of an emergency worker and you will face the consequences. It’s not acceptable and the courts recognise this.

“I welcome the conviction and hope this goes as a warning to others that this type of behaviour is taken extremely seriously and can result in time spent in prison.”