A shoplifter told a police officer she had coronavirus before coughing on them twice.
Jessica Bosson was apprehended after stealing alcohol from a Sainsbury's store in Stoke.
She became violent towards officers during the arrest and kicked out a police car window, causing damage to the frame.
She also told police she had tested positive for Covid and coughed towards a female officer twice, according to Stoke-on-Trent Live.
The offender appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre where she was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
Prosecutor Simon Dykes stated that the defendant and a man visited Sainsbury's, in London Road, Stoke, at 8.40pm on October 14, shoplifting a bottle of Malibu and a bottle of Southern Comfort worth £30.
Mr Dykes said: "CCTV established the two left without paying. The man passed the bottles to the defendant. They were located nearby. They returned one of the bottles to staff. Police arrived.
"The defendant was arrested for theft. It resulted in a struggle between her and the officers. While in the rear of the police vehicle she had to be physically restrained."
"She continued to be aggressive in custody. While in the vehicle she kicked out with both feet to the window multiple times. The frame of the window became damaged and dented but the window did not smash."
The defendant was asked if she had covid and she said she had tested positive.
Mr Dykes said: "She said, 'I have just licked you', and laughed about it.
"The defendant coughed towards the officer twice.
"She was further arrested for an assault on an emergency worker."
Bosson, of Lorien Court, Hartshill, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop, criminal damage and common assault of an emergency worker.
Harpreet Jhawar, mitigating, said the defendant was not positive for coronavirus. He said: "It was a bluff, a tactic. It was a lack of maturity on her part."
He said the defendant had been in an abusive relationship which ended on or around October 14.
Mr Jhawar said: "She wanted to drink herself to oblivion. She had gone out and consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.
"The man selected alcohol and passed it to her. She willingly accepts her part in the theft."
He said the defendant did say she had covid but did not spit on anybody.
Mr Jhawar added: "This is not ordinarily a violent woman. She acted out of character."
As part of the community order Bosson must complete 40 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 10 days.
She was ordered to pay £185 costs and a £95 surcharge.
