Racist comments of man who spat on residents in Northampton neighbourhood while shouting 'Covid, Covid' heard in court

A man who woke up residents in a Northampton neighbourhood during an argument only to spit at homeowners while claiming he had coronavirus has been given "a second chance".

Christopher Hulland, of no fixed address, was arguing with his drug dealer when his shouting woke up neighbours on Clover Lane at around midnight on June 8 during the height of the lockdown.

When residents told him to quiet down, he began kicking residents' vehicles before angrily beating a homeowner and spitting at them while shouting "Covid, Covid."

Then, when a mother on the street came to her door with her children behind her to tell the 28 year old to be quiet, he spat at her and told her: "You deserve to have it" and made a racist comment.

Northampton Crown Court heard at his sentencing yesterday (September 10) that one of Hulland's victims was £1,225 out of pocket because of the damage to his car and van.

Meanwhile, the court heard the mother in the case was "shocked" by the incident and had to explain to her children what he had meant by his racially-aggravated comments.

The court also heard Hulland's previous convictions include an incident in October 2019 where he was stopped from entering the Boston Clipper nightclub, so he spat at the doorstaff while hurling homophobic slurs.

He was also arrested in June 2018, on which occasion he spat on the arresting officer.

The court heard Hulland was reportedly "ashamed" of his behaviour towards the residents of Clover Lane.

In sentencing, His Honour Judge David Herbert said: "These offences are disgraceful. You said some particularly unpleasant and racist things to a woman who was only trying to calm you down.

"You richly deserve a custodial sentence."

However, on balance, Judge Herbert ruled that since Hulland had already been in custody for three months, any prison sentence he could pass would only mean he would be shortly released anyway.

The judge said: "Therefore as a direct alternative, I'm going to impose a community order. What that means, Mr Hulland, is that I'm giving you a second chance.

"You have demonstrated to the probation service that you want to put this behind you... I'm prepared to give you a second chance but I won't give you another."

Hulland was handed an alcohol treatment requirement and 50 hours of unpaid work. The judge also ordered for him to return to court in December to examine his rehabilitation.