A man who purposely coughed at police officers and told them he had coronavirus after crashing a stolen car in Newport has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Joe Parry, 27, was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison after appearing in Cardiff Crown Court.
Parry, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and assaulting an emergency worker.
In a statement after the hearing Gwent Police detective constable Alistair Frame said: "During the early hours of April 23 Joe Parry stole a vehicle from outside a property on Harrow Road, Newport.
"The vehicle was seen being driven dangerously by officers in Alway and ended up colliding with five parked vehicles.
"Parry was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for treatment. Whilst at hospital he purposely coughed at officers, stating he was Covid-19 positive."
Parry has also been disqualified from driving for three years.
