Man jailed for spitting in police officer’s face in Southampton

A 38-year-old man from Southampton has been jailed after pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer by spitting in their face.

Zachary Charles Lowe, of no fixed abode, was sentenced when he appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday (6 March).

He admitted to common assault of an emergency worker and a racially aggravated public order offence, relating to the same officer.

The incident took place on Bevois Valley Road, Southampton, on Thursday 5 March. Following the assault, Lowe was arrested and later charged.

At court, Lowe was sentenced to four months in prison.

During the hearing, he also pleaded guilty to the theft of £99.95 worth of DVDs from HMV on High Street, Southampton, on Monday 23 February.

As well as the custodial sentence, Lowe must also pay a £154 surcharge.

Speaking after the sentencing, Southampton Deputy District Commander, Chief Inspector Charlie Ilderton, said:

“We will never tolerate our officers being assaulted in the course of their duties.

“Each assault on one of our officers is a deliberate attack on a person performing a public duty.

“Our officers work tirelessly every single day to serve and protect the public, putting themselves in harm’s way in the process.

“They should never have to fear an assault, physical, verbal or discriminatory, in their continued efforts to keep our communities safe.

“The idea that this behaviour is somehow ‘part of the job’ is outdated, dangerous and completely incompatible with modern policing and public expectation.”

Directly addressing Lowe’s sentence and those who consider it acceptable to behave in a similar way, Chief Inspector Ilderton added:

“I am pleased to see that Lowe has been held accountable for his offending against our officer.

“This outcome should serve as a very clear reminder to others out there who believe they can assault our officers.

“In short, you will not get away with it – we will deal with you and we will do everything in our power to ensure you are put before the courts and placed behind bars.”