AN ALLOA man who falsely claimed that he had Covid–19 in a bid to be released from custody was jailed for 160 days last week as a result.

John Russell, 35, made up the lie after being arrested in Clacks for breaching a bail order.

Police found him at 9.55am standing in the doorway of a house in Lomond Court, Alloa – a street he was forbidden from entering under the bail ordered granted only a week earlier.

He was arrested and put in the back of a police van to be taken to Falkirk Police Station.

Paul Jamieson, prosecuting, told Falkirk Sheriff Court: "He was specifically asked by the police officers if he was suffering from or had suffered from any symptoms of coronavirus.

"I assumed that's a standard question.

"At that time he said he did not. However, while he was being taken to the police station, he repeatedly asked questions regarding the likelihood of him being released if he did have symptoms.

"Eventually, when arriving at Falkirk Police Station he told the officers he did in fact have coronavirus.

"Both officers advised him of the seriousness of this claim, at which point he admitted he was lying in order to be released from custody."

Mr Jamieson said Russell had taken "simply moments" to retract his statement.

He said: "It doesn't seem as though the officers believed him at any point, but nonetheless they had to take what he said seriously."

Russell, of Shetland Court, Alloa, was arrested and charged and held in custody until he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Wednesday by video link from HMP Low Moss, East Dunbartonshire.

He pleaded guilty to committing a statutory breach of the peace by lying to police about having the virus. He also admitted breaching bail. The incident took place on April 6.

Solicitor-advocate Gordon Martin, defending, said: "Because he immediately admitted what he had said was a lie, there was no requirement for any extra steps to be taken in relation to the van, the police officers, or indeed Falkirk Police Station."

Imposing the 160 day jail term, Sheriff Craig Harris told Russell: "I need to take account of the current circumstances – and the outrage that the public quite rightly feel at people treating emergency service workers in any way that places them in fear of being at risk from this virus.

"There is a need for punishment and a deterrent message to be sent."