A “HOPELESS drunk” spat at a police officer during the height of the coronavirus crisis, a court heard.

Police were called to Turner Road, Colchester, last month after reports that Christ Streather was standing in the middle of the roundabout and hurling abuse at people - including coughing at a care worker.

When officers arrived he was aggressive and spat at one of them with saliva landing on their leg.

Weeks before, Streather was arrested after a row broke out at The Playhouse pub in St John’s Street, Colchester.

When police tried to get him out of the car, he tried to kick and bite an officer.

Last year, Streather was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after another drunken row saw him wander into a street full of moving cars in Shrub End.

He was found lying near some tennis courts and became abusive to police.

When he was searched a Stanley knife was found.

The 45-year-old, of Villa Road, Stanway, denied being drunk and disorderly and possession of a knife but was convicted after a trial.

He admitted assaulting an emergency worker and attempting to assault another one.

Evelyn Hicks, mitigating at Chelmsford Crown Court said he was now determined to give up booze.

“When he thinks about his childhood he drinks, when he drinks he hears voices and then he behaves in this appalling manner,” she said.

“He tells me he is now ready to get help for his alcoholism.”

Judge Patricia Lynch QC jailed him for ten months, however, he is likely to be released soon because of the amount of time he has already spent in custody for both offences.

“You representative tells me after previously declining every offer of help before you have now seen the light and want to change your ways,” she said.

“A report into you says you have borderline anti-social personality disorder but the bottom line is your are simply a hopeless drunk.

“Until you address that and stop drinking your offending will continue and the sentences will just get longer and longer.

“Go and put your money where your mouth is, and not on the alcohol.”