SPITTING at police officers is "wrong on every level" and will be met with consequences, the Secretary of the North Wales Police Federation has said.

The comments by Mark Jones came after defendant Michael Jones, of Nant Mawr Road in Buckley, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday for a raft of offences.

They included two assaults on emergency workers, an assault on a pub landlord, criminal damage and theft.

He'd kicked out and spat at officers who arrested him after he stole coffee and wine from the Spar in Buckley as well as attacking Mark Thomas, landlord of the town's Black Lion pub.

And the court heard that just weeks before that string of crimes was committed, he'd caused trouble at Wrexham Maelor Hospital's emergency department, then spat at police who were called in to help.

Judge Rhys Rowlands branded his behaviour "vile and disgusting" before jailing him for 12 months.

North Wales Police Federation secretary and treasurer Mark Jones told the Leader: "Spitting generally, but most certainly at an emergency service worker, is vile and despicable.

"Police officers do not go to work to be assaulted and those who willingly choose to assault an emergency service worker should face the toughest sentences. 

"It is well established that the psychological impact upon a police officer when assaulted is adverse and often means that there is one less officer to respond to that next 999 call. 

"Even more so, when a police officer books off duty, they go home to be a mum, dad, daughter, son, sister or brother. 

"It's wrong on every level for spitting to be weaponised and we expect those guilty to face the consequences."

The Leader:

In Michael Jones' case, threats to kill the officers in Buckley town centre were followed by homophobic language.

Once he arrived at his cell in Llay, Jones proceeded to urinate across the walls and floor.

Judge Rowlands told him: "You behaved in a vile and disgusting fashion.

"Officers and police staff ought not to have to deal with such behaviour.

"You're now in your mid-30s and have a raft of convictions; 18 of which are for violence."