Coronavirus: Warning Against Using Coughs as Weapons

The Crown Prosecution Service has warned against using coughs as weapons during the current coronavirus outbreak.

At a time when the whole nation should be rallying round in support of our emergency services and essential key workers, it is regrettable that a small minority of individuals have adopted the sickening tactic of deliberately coughing or sneezing in their direction.

Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP, posted on Twitter: "Reports of people deliberately coughing on our hardworking emergency workers are appalling. The @cpsuk have clearly said that this is a crime and will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who threatens the vital work of our emergency workers."

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill QC, said: "Emergency workers are more essential than ever as society comes together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

"I am therefore appalled by reports of police officers and other frontline workers being deliberately coughed at by people claiming to have Covid-19.

"Let me be very clear: this is a crime and needs to stop. The CPS stands behind emergency and essential workers and will not hesitate to prosecute anybody who threatens them as they go about their vital duties."

Darren Rafferty, 45, of Dagenham, east London, yesterday admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker after claiming to have coronavirus and directing coughs at Metropolitan Police officers arresting him for another offence. He will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 1st April 2020.

David Mott, 40, of no fixed abode, was yesterday jailed for 26 weeks after threatening to spit at a Blackburn police officer who questioned him about why he was in the company of two other people. He was convicted of charges of threatening behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

There have been more than 20,000 prosecutions for assaults on emergency workers since enhanced legislation came into force in November 2018.