AN AMATEUR boxer who spat at police and claimed to have HIV and Covid was told by a magistrate he was escaping prison “by the skin of his teeth”.

Wiliam Murphy, 30 was also told was in “the last chance saloon” after he was found to be in breach of a suspended sentence.

Brighton Magistrates Court heard Murphy spat in the footwell of a police vehicle after officers were called to an incident at his mother’s home on February 12 this year. He also told police he had HIV and Covid, the court heard.

On arrival at the police station, Murphy, who has a history of mental health issues and is being supported by the Band of Brothers charity in Brighton, became aggressive and set off panic alarms in the station and spat at the two officers, the court was told.

After he pleaded guilty to common assault and assault by beating, the magistrates retired to consider an appropriate sentence for nearly 30 minutes. On their return, one of the magistrates, Alison Musker, asked the defendant, who broke down in tears during the hearing, to stand.

She said: “Do you know why we have taken so long to consider the sentence? It’s because we have been split over whether or not you should go to prison.”

“I knew it was about 50/50,” the defendant replied.

Mrs Musker added: “We are not going to send you to prison but you are in the last chance saloon.”

Murphy, of George William Mews, Brighton, was given a four-week prison sentence for the assault charge, suspended for 18 months, and a further four-week suspended sentence, also suspended for 18 months, for the assault by beating charge, to run concurrently.

He must also pay £100 compensation to one police officer, a further £50 to the other officer, costs of £85, and complete 15 days supervision under a rehabilitation order.

 

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