An ‘extremely drunk’ man broke a window at a Bridport gift shop and later coughed on a police officer claiming he had coronavirus, a court heard.

Tristan Gale, 34, of no fixed abode, admitted offences when he appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

It comes after police were made aware a window at Chilli By The Sea in South Street was damaged around midnight on Sunday, September 13, 2020. They arrested Gale nearby.

Prosecuting, Elizabeth Valera, said Gale was taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester after he sustained a ‘nasty cut’ on his hand caused by him damaging the window.

She said: “The incident begins by the defendant being extremely drunk and police officers were called to Bridport to Chilli By The Sea where the defendant has broken a window.

“He moved away and they followed him and arrested him in connection to that offence.

“He had a nasty cut on his hand and was taken to hospital. He said at hospital he had AIDS, chlamydia and coronavirus, and said he had been coughing."

She said Gale verbally abused emergency workers and as well as passers-by – including an elderly man in a mobility scooter.

He was taken out of the hospital and put in a police vehicle to calm down.

He was then escorted back to the hospital and Mrs Valera said: “He shouts swear words and that he has Covid-19. Officers restrain him and take him to the floor and he coughs towards an officer. He is then arrested for that offence.”

Gale pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the sum of £950, use threatening or abusive words of behaviour to cause harassment or distress, and common assault of an emergency worker.

Gale apologised profoundly for his actions. He requested the case be adjourned to allow his legal representation attend court with him.

Magistrates agreed and said Gale would be sentenced on January 18.