Woman who deliberately coughed at police officer jailed for four months
Written by News on 22/04/2020
A 39-year-old woman has been jailed for more than four months after she deliberately coughed at a police officer as she was being arrested.
Charlene Merrifield became aggressive and abusive towards officers, and leaned forward in the back of a police van and coughed in the direction of a PC.
Northumbria Police on Tuesday released footage of the offence, which the force described as “appalling” in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing said: “Our officers come to work each day in order to keep people safe and protect the communities they serve. They do so knowing they could be faced with potentially dangerous situations.
“However, at a time when our communities across Northumbria are pulling together and showing the incredible spirit that this region is famed for, there remains a small minority who show a total disregard for both the law and the welfare of others.
“Charlene Merrifield knew exactly what she was doing as she decided to intentionally cough at one of our officers, which is absolutely appalling.
“I hope this case highlights how seriously offences of this nature are being taken in the light of the current pandemic.
“I would like to thank the public for their amazing support, as well as our officers, staff and volunteers who are all working together in these difficult and unprecedented times to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”
Merrifield was stopped by police in Hebburn in South Tyneside on 8 April following a report that a woman had attempted to attack a male with a knife and had caused damage to vehicles.
Officers spotted her nearby with two bricks in her hand.
Police also found a Ford Focus had been damaged on the street after a windscreen wiper had been snapped off.
Merrifield was searched and no knife was found. She was arrested on suspicion of affray.
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She admitted assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage and a public order offence when appearing before magistrates in South Tyneside on 15 April, along with breach of a suspended sentence.
Merrifield, of no fixed address, was jailed for 21 weeks.
(c) Sky News 2020: Woman who deliberately coughed at police officer jailed for four months
