A DRUG user who spat at police after being arrested during lockdown has been fined £100.

Marc Jackson reacted angrily when police turned up at his home in Newton Abbot and spat at one of them during a prolonged struggle.

He was at risk of going to jail because he was in breach of a suspended sentence but a Judge at Exeter Crown Court decided not to activate it because of the impact of Covid on the jail system.

Jackson, aged 41, of West Golds Way, Newton Abbot, admitted obstructing police and was fined £100 with £100 costs by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court.

He said he was not activating an eight month suspended sentence because of conditions within prison during the Covid emergency and the good progress Jackson has made since this offence in April.

Mr Samuel Castlehouse, prosecuting, said police went to Jackson’s home on April 24 in connection with another inquiry and arrested him because he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

He said: ‘He began to resist and was aggressive to the officers and was taken to the ground. He was repeatedly spitting and was told to calm down. He was brought back to his feet but resisted the officers again.

‘He was taken to the ground again and continued to resist and spit until a spit hood was applied.’

Mr William Parkhill, defending, said the suspended sentence was for drug offences and this has been the only breach in 17 months.

The probation service say he was doing well on supervision.