Skip to content

Man who spit at police draws jail sentence

A LOCAL man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer and for threatening another person in two separate incidents last year.

A LOCAL man has been sentenced for assaulting a police officer and for threatening another person in two separate incidents last year.

Michael Christopher Watts was sentenced to two months in jail for assaulting Const. Issac Couture by repeatedly spitting at him while being arrested Sept. 6, 2012.

“It is unacceptable for a police officer in the lawful execution of their duties to be subjected to the vile and degrading act of being spat upon,” said Terrace RCMP inspector Dana Hart.

“Not only is this an indignity, but also creates a potential serious health risk from communicable diseases transmitted through saliva.”

Watts was also sentenced to four months in jail and 18 months of probation for uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, mischief $5,000 or under and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose against another person April 27, 2012.

The two jail sentences will run concurrently, and when that’s the case, the person serves the longer of the two jail times. This means Watts will spend four months in jail in all.

As part of his probation, Watts must not have any contact directly or indirectly with the victim or be within 50 metres of the victim’s residence.

He must also provide a DNA sample to police.