Woman charged with serious assault after coughing at and spitting on police

A woman who allegedly intentionally coughed and spat on a police officer an hour into Brisbane’s COVID lockdown has been charged.

A woman who allegedly intentionally coughed and spat on a police officer during the first hour of Brisbane’s strict COVID lockdown has been charged with serious assault of police, among other offences.

The 38-year-old from Kalinga allegedly coughed on a 33-year-old senior constable during an arrest in Upper Roma St about 6pm yesterday.

The alleged assault happened about one hour after the city was placed into lockdown, and masks were made compulsory as Queensland battle to contain the spread of the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus.

A Queensland Police service (QPS) spokesman today confirmed the altercation was the only one of its kind since the beginning of yesterday’s lockdown.

A woman who allegedly intentionally coughed and spat on a police officer during the first hour of Brisbane’s strict COVID lockdown has been charged with serious assault of police, among other offences. Picture: Supplied

“A 38-year-old Kalinga woman has been charged with multiple offences after coughing on a police officer in Brisbane City yesterday,” the spokesman said.

“Around 6pm, police attended an upper Roma St address to arrest the woman in an unrelated matter, where it will be alleged she was uncooperative.
“Police will further allege she turned towards a 33-year-old male senior constable and coughed on him, causing spit to hit his face.”

The woman was charged with one count each of obstructing police, serious assault of police, and in unrelated matters, was also charged with possession of utensils and trespassing.

The woman is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court at a later date.

A police spokesman could not confirm if the officer involved was forced to undergo a COVID test, or if he was required to isolate.