A man who coughed on a police officer and threatened to infect him with coronavirus has been sentenced to six months in jail in Britain, a police statement said.

Adam Lewis, 55, was stopped after allegedly trying the door handles of cars in central London on Tuesday afternoon by a policeman who then tried to stop and search him.

Lewis smashed a bottle of wine he was holding on the floor and then verbally threatened the officer.

“I am Covid (19 positive) and I am going to cough in your face and you will get it,” he reportedly said, before coughing on the police officer.