A DRUNK woman has been jailed after coughing in a police officer’s face and claiming she had coronavirus. Joanne Turner, 35, abused cops after she kicked and damaged a car parked outside a train station around 11pm on Wednesday. ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates She claimed she had […]
A DRUNK woman has been jailed after coughing in a police officer’s face and claiming she had coronavirus.
Joanne Turner, 35, abused cops after she kicked and damaged a car parked outside a train station around 11pm on Wednesday.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
She claimed she had the deadly Covid-19 bug before coughing forcefully into one officer’s face.
Appearing at Norwich Magistrates Court on Thursday, Turner, from Norwich, admitted assaulting an emergency worker.
She also admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place and criminal damage and was jailed for 12 weeks.
Chief Superintendent Dave Marshall said: “Any abuse and threatening behaviour towards the emergency services is unacceptable at any time.
“However, this sentence reflects the seriousness of threats and acts of coughing to put others in fear of contracting Covid-19.”
He added: “This should act as a clear warning that there will be serious consequences for anyone who behaves in such a threatening way towards others during this pandemic.”
The UK’s coronavirus death toll rose today to 759 after 181 more deaths were recorded since last night.
Today, 168 deaths were recorded in England along with eight deaths in Scotland, six deaths in Wales and three deaths in Northern Ireland.
People who cough at police or NHS staff could face a year in jail, cops have warned.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced they would prosecute anyone who coughs on or at emergency service staff during the coronavirus crisis.
David Mott, 40, also coughed at police sergeant Linda Haywood after telling him off for breaking new social distancing rules during the Covid-19 outbreak.
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Mott lost his temper when the sergeant told him to back away when he came towards her on Tuesday in Blackburn, Lancs.
Sgt Haywood said: “The utter contempt he showed toward me both as a police officer and a fellow human being disgusts me.
“We as police officers are here to protect the public and should not be exposed to unnecessary risks in doing so by mindless acts such as Mr Mott displayed.”
In another case, Darren Rafferty, 45, has admitted deliberately coughing on police in Dagenham, east London and faces sentencing next month.
He appeared at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The government is encouraging social distancing to check the relentless march of the disease.
Brits are being advised to stay two metres – or 6ft – away from other people, with gatherings of more than two people banned.
Police have started using checkpoints to stop vehicles and ask drivers if their journey is essential during the coronavirus lockdown.
Cops across the UK have been asking drivers today where they are going and why they are travelling.
Police checkpoints were seen across Devon yesterday, where officers quizzed drivers on their journeys and whether they were “essential”.
And cops have been handed new powers to fine Brits up to £1000 for breaking rules for being outside their homes.
Officers will aim to slow the spread of coronavirus by asking people to go indoors and will be authorised to use force if they refuse.
The base rate for the fine is £60, which is then reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.
Several of the same offences will see the charges soar, with Brits hit with a £960 fine for not doing their bit.
