A taxi driver died with coronavirus after being spat at by a fare-dodger who claimed to have the disease, a family friend has said.

New grandfather Trevor Belle told friend Damian Briggs, that he had been spat at by the passenger who owed him just £9.

The passenger reportedly told 61-year-old Trevor: "I've got the coronavirus and now you've got it too."

Coronavirus: Taxi driver grandad dies after ‘£9 fare-dodger spat at him’

After the incident in Stratford on March 22, Trevor began to feel unwell with symptoms of coronavirus, he died in the Royal London Hospital on April 18, having tested positive.

Mr. Briggs explained: "A few days later he got rushed into hospital, he spent three weeks battling it and unfortunately didn't make it to the end."

Coronavirus: Taxi driver grandad dies after ‘£9 fare-dodger spat at him’

The new grandfather from east London, died three days after his 61st birthday, and his friend added: "It's devastating that he's caught it doing his job."

After his death, Mr Belle's blood was donated to research into the effects of covid-19 in people from BAME communities, Mr Briggs said, as he paid tribute to his 'die-hard Arsenal supporter' friend.

He described them as 'not blood brothers, but we are brothers'.

He said: "He loves the game, he loves Arsenal, he loves supporting to see kids do really well in the game.

"He did a lot of volunteering stuff."

Mr Briggs added: "Best way I can describe Trev is just a jovial person who, as serious as life is, would always find a way to get a smile on your face so you can take your mind off the problem.

"It was very rare you saw something that bothered this guy.

"No matter how bad it was, he always found a way to have a laugh and chuckle."

A GoFundMe page for Mr Belle has now raised £6,000 - double its target - to cover the costs of a funeral and "celebration of his life".