A VILE offender who spat in a policeman’s face has been sentenced by the courts.

Austin Dubbeldam appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court recently to face a charge of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

The 44-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence at a previous hearing, and he appeared back in court to face sentence.

It was heard from prosecutor Katie Johnson how the incident occurred on August 17 this year at Warrington Hospital.

The defendant assaulted a male police officer at the Lovely Lane site by spitting in his face.

District judge John McGarva commented that the custodial threshold had been passed due to the severity of the offence and the fact that it was ‘unprovoked’.

However, taking the defendant’s guilty plea into account, the sentence was suspended.

Dubbeldam, of Talbot Road in Blackpool, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, but this was suspended for the next 12 months.

During this period, he must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

No order was made for court costs, with compensation of £155 to the victim taking priority, and an application was approved for this to be deducted from his benefits.