Racist who wanted refund on free meal said he had virus then coughed in policeman's face

A racist lout told police he had coronavirus symptoms then coughed in an officer's face while he was being arrested for verbally abusing takeaway staff.

David Mitchell had been bought a free meal by kind strangers at the Moulin Rouge Cafe in Newcastle, but his demeanour suddenly changed when they left.

The 40-year-old then turned to the staff at the takeaway and told them he no longer wanted the food but he did want the cash instead, a  court  was told.

After his request was refused, Mitchell flew into a rage and began verbally abusing the workers, claiming he was in the Mafia and telling one employee "You Turkish b*****d, you only came here to get rich," reports Chronicle Live.

The police were called but, rather than calm down, the lout's behaviour escalated and he told officer's he had symptoms of Covid-19 before coughing in one PC's face.

Mitchell, of Benwell, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence, a normal public order offence and assaulting an emergency worker.

Giving him a suspended prison sentence, District Judge Paul Currer branded Mitchell's behaviour "despicable."

"Your behaviour on this occasion was absolutely appalling," the judge said.

"First of all, as many people in your situation do, you attempted to exploit people kindly offering to buy you food as, once they left, your true motives were exposed because you were not bothered about the food but wanted the money.

"When the owners of the takeaway said the food was being cooked, you became irritated and that's when your behaviour became violent and threatening and racially abusive.

"That's despicable and appalling behaviour and it didn't end there because, when police arrived, you told the officers you had a cough and a temperature, and you told one officer you had Covid-19, and you coughed directly in the face of the officer that was arresting you.

"I can't think of worse conduct at a time like this when people are so concerned about their safety and their family's safety."

North Tyneside Magistrates' Court was told that Mitchell was standing outside the Moulin Rouge Cafe on May 20 when two passers-by offered to buy him food and paid the takeaway to give him a meal.

James Long, prosecuting, said: "However, as soon as they left, the defendant came in and said he didn't want the food but the money instead.

"The manager said that was not possible as the food was already being cooked. The defendant became racially abusive and said "Turkish b*****d, you only came here to get rich".

"That deeply upset the victim. He then saw the defendant, after he had been given the food, throwing it on the floor."

Mitchell continued to be aggressive and shouted and swore at another staff member, claiming he had friends who were "gypsies" who would come to the cafe and that he was in the Mafia.

When the police were called, the drunk then claimed he had Covid-19 symptoms before coughing at an officer.

Mr Long continued: "It's not the prosecution's case that he said he was suffering from coronavirus but, given the two symptoms of it are a high temperature and a cough and that's what the defendant said he had, we can draw the inevitable conclusions. It's obvious what he meant."

In a statement, the manager of the takeaway said he feared Mitchell would assault him or a member of his staff.

The police officer victim said: "During the past two months, I have had concerns about taking this awful virus back to my family.

"This has caused me distress and concern about going home to my family."

Liz Dunbar, defending, said Mitchell was an alcoholic and had claimed to have coronavirus symptoms as a "joke"

"He fully accepts he said the words that were said but he certainly didn't mean them and says they were said jokingly," the solicitor added.

"That might have been his intention but it's not a joking matter. He's got significant problems and is classed himself as vulnerable."

Mitchell was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and must abide by a 12-week curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the police officer and was banned from entering Moulin Rouge.