A man who spat at and threatened rail staff before spitting blood in the face of a police officer has been jailed for 32 weeks.

Joshua Creasy, 26, of Quarry Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and two counts of common assault and was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 8 August.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victims.

The court heard how, on Saturday 5 August at Park Lane Metro station in Sunderland, an intoxicated Creasy became aggressive towards two members of railway staff, brandishing a glass bottle and spitting at them.

British Transport Police were called and Creasy resisted arrested, striking out at the officer and spitting blood into his face twice.

Investigating officer Sgt Michael Forster said: "This was a disgusting and vile assault on members of staff who were simply doing their job.

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"Being intoxicated is never an excuse for behaviour like this. Nobody should be afraid of being assaulted at work, especially in such a disgusting manner.

“The custodial sentence handed to Creasy shows just how seriously the courts take this sort of offending – and it should send a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the railway."