Man charged with alleged 'coronavirus cough’ assault on police officers
A man who allegedly claimed he had coronavirus and coughed at police officers has been charged with assault.
Luke Smith, 27, was arrested on suspicion of possessing class B drugs before he allegedly launched the attack, Essex Police said.
The alleged incident took place when officers were called to a disturbance on Catchpool Road, Colchester, on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old, who is also charged with breach of a restraining order and possession of a Class B drug, is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police said that the officers involved in the incident took “the appropriate precautions in line with force and national guidance”.
Darren Rafferty, 45, from Dagenham, admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker as well as grievous bodily harm to his former partner, Kerry Manning, at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Ciro D’Alessio said that Rafferty had been drinking and gone to his former partner Ms Manning’s home when a “physical altercation” broke out.
When police arrived at the house in response, Rafferty coughed at Pc Laver, Pc Richardson and Pc Andrews and then claimed he had the disease.
He said: “The defendant makes comments about being in isolation and having coronavirus and then deliberately coughs towards the officers.”
The court heard Rafferty, who wore a white face mask during the short hearing, had been checked for the virus at the police station and the force “did not have concerns”.
Mr D’Alessio added: “On any reading of the assault you either get someone threatening to give someone a communicable disease or you have someone trying to give it to them.”
Rafferty, 45, from Dagenham, was remanded in custody to be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, April 1.
