A MAN spat in the eye of a police officer after he had already launched his saliva at another constable.

Courtney Tyler Wheeler’s conduct towards to the Dorset Police constables was described as “vile and inhumane”.

Wheeler, of Southcote Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker when he appeared in the dock at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 1.

Prosecuting, Victoria Hill said the incident occurred on November 16 at an address in Hawthorn Road, Bournemouth, when officers went to located the defendant over an unrelated matter.

Ms Hill said 26-year-old Wheeler was initially compliant with police but he became “increasing agitated” and he was “clearly under the influence of drink or drugs”.

The court heard that after shouting at officers and claiming one of them had laughed at him, the defendant spat at PC Patel’s face, with the spittle landing on his snood.

The offender was escorted out of the property and other officers attended to assist.

Wheeler was placed in the back of a police car while waiting for a van to arrive and take him to a police station.

Bournemouth Echo:

Ms Hill said the defendant was “erratic and up and down in terms of his behaviour”.

“Officers did their best to try to explain everything to him but he carried on being abusive,” Ms Hill said.

Wheeler kept standing out of the car, the court heard, despite the repeated requests of PC Browning.

The defendant then made a spit sound and it soon came to light he had spat saliva into the officer’s right eye.

Ms Hill said that PC Browning described the spittle going straight into his eye causing “discomfort”.

She said: “He describes the act as disgusting and says spitting at another is a vile and inhumane act and his actions were completely unjustified.”

Referencing a statement from PC Patel, the prosecutor said: “It is a disgusting and degrading act and I actually think it is worse than being punched or kicked.”

Magistrates told Wheeler that in the interests of justice and in fairness to him they were requesting a full report from the probation service.

The defendant was warned that the court may impose any sentence that the law allows, which could include immediate custody.

The case adjourned to January 4.

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