Courts: Knife-wielding thug and man who spat at shop worker claiming he had Covid-19 jailed

Here are a handful of the cases dealt with in Cumbria's courts this week. 

• A knife-wielding thug threatened a couple in Cleator Moor after arriving at their home to demand money for work that was never done.

• A 23-year-old Carlisle man has been jailed for theft and assaulting a shop worker – by spitting and claiming he had Covid-19.

• A taxi driver acting as a peacemaker between a rowing couple was knocked to the ground and assaulted by an angry boyfriend.

• An angry Workington man turned violent as police officers tried to arrest him for an alleged assault, leaving one with serious mouth injuries.

• A burglar who stole jewellery worth £15,000 from a Carlisle antiques shop twice tried to pawn it, asking to be paid £1,000, a court heard.

• A Carlisle contractor fraudulently claimed more than £17,000 for work he had not done.

• A 59-year-old Carlisle woman who admitted two assaults has been given a 14-week overnight curfew by magistrates.

• A 16-month driving ban has been imposed on a 27-year-old motorist from Aspatria for careless driving and drink-driving.

• Magistrates have imposed a year-long ban on an Aspatria woman who has admitted three driving offences – including failing to stop after an accident which left a woman injured.