Hunter woman charged after coughing on police officer

Case Summary:

A 45-year-old woman attended Maitland Police Station, where she allegedly became aggressive while intoxicated before coughing on an officer.

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Offender:

• 45-year-old Maitland Woman

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Crime and Charges:

• COVID-19, behave in offensive manner in/near public place
• Assault officer in execution of duty
• two counts of intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm

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Bail and Court Dates:

• Conditional bail granted
• due to appear in Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 18 November 2020.

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Police will allege:

About 6.15pm yesterday (Sunday 27 September 2020), a 45-year-old woman attended Maitland Police Station, where she allegedly became aggressive while intoxicated before coughing on an officer.

Maximum Penalty

Criminal. Spitting or coughing on someone may be a common assault under s 61 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). … The maximum penalty for common assault is 2 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $5,500 or both (when dealt with in the Local Court)

Assaulting a police officer is an offence under sections 58 and 60 Crimes Act 1914. The maximum penalty for this offence is 5 years imprisonment, or 2 years imprisonment if the matter is finalised in the Local Court.