A man has been jailed after spitting in the faces of police officers who were trying to help him in a busy A&E department.

Darren King, of West Way, Ruislip, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates' Court Friday, 26 May to three counts of assaulting a police officer.

The 29-year-old was sentenced to 12 weeks' imprisonment and was ordered to pay compensation of £75 to each officer - a total of £225.

Police were called to reports of a fight between two men in Beaufort Road, Harrow, at around 3.45am on Friday, February 17.

Officers saw King and another man running away. King was pursued by an officer and subsequently detained, but not arrested.

King complained of pain in his leg and the officer also noticed King had injuries to his head and hand, so he was taken to a north London hospital.

But upon arrival at the hospital, he began to verbally abuse the officers and continued to do so while in the A&E waiting room.

A special constable with King asked him not to speak to his fellow officer that way.

However, King then verbally abused the special constable and spat in his face, causing blood and saliva to land on the special constable's forehead.

King was arrested by a police constable for assaulting an officer. He was taken from the reception area to a bay in A&E, where he then spat in the face of the arresting officer, with blood and salvia going into her eye.

King continued to be verbally aggressive which “alarmed” members of the public and medical staff.

At this point, a PC drew his Taser in anticipation that King would assault him or a member of public.

A bed was brought in shortly after this and as another PC moved it into position, King spat in his face, hitting him in the eye and mouth.

King was then restrained in the bed and leg restraints were used.

King was further arrested for the assaults on the other two PCs. He was charged on February 18.

The two PCs went to St Thomas' Hospital due to blood and saliva going into their eyes.

They still await the results of their blood tests.

Detective Sergeant Phil Moor, the investigating officer from Harrow's Community Safety Unit, said: “The custodial sentence given to King today shows how seriously the courts take assaults on police officers.

"These officers were trying to help King prior to him receiving treatment at the hospital, but despite this he spat in their faces, going into the mouth and eyes of one officer and the eyes of another.

“The impact of this vile offence was significant and the possible health implications for the officers and their families is apparent.

"The sentencing sends a clear message that assaulting police officers is completely unacceptable behaviour for which those responsible can expect to face the full weight of the criminal justice system."