A man who spat in the face of Jeremy Corbyn during the first wave of the pandemic and verbally abused his wife has been sentenced.

Gerald Dore, 56, from Islington, admitted a charge of assault by beating for spitting at the former Labour leader and a public order offence for verbally abusing and physically threatening Laura Alvarez.

He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (28/01/21) to an 18-month community order, with 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr Corbyn and £100 to Ms Alvarez.

At about 11.20 am on 20 May 2020, My Corbyn was cycling with Ms Alvarez near his home.

When reaching a junction of Seven Sisters Road, he saw Dore, who looked to be about to cross the road.

Mr Corbyn made a gesture to let him know he could cross.

Dore then uttered obscenities to Mr Corbyn, who told him there was no need for that sort of language.

Dore repeated the words and got more animated and Mr Corbyn asked him to leave, at which point Dore took a step towards him and spat in his face.

He also verbally abused Ms Alvarez and threatened her physically.

Rob Hutchinson of the CPS said: “This was completely unacceptable behaviour by Gerald Dore. 

"At a time the country was reeling from the effects of COVID-19, Dore without provocation spat in the face of a prominent member of Parliament and during an expletive ridden onslaught, physically threatened Ms Alvarez.

“This successful prosecution should put no one in any doubt that we will take firm action against those who abuse others in this way and, in this case, our elected officials and their families, who should be able to go about their personal business without being put in fear.”