Frankston anti-masker refused bail for allegedly coughing on cafe staff, assaulting police
A Frankston “Karen” accused of going on a coughing, abusive tirade because Cafe Fleur by Jen staff asked her to wear a mask holds “anti-authoritarian views”, a court has heard.
South East
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An anti-masker accused of coughing on staff and customers at a Frankston cafe and allegedly assaulting police while shouting “rape, rape” has been refused bail.
Mandy Crerar will have to spend another nine days in custody after her application to be released was knocked back because she poses too much of a risk to the community.
She is alleged to have caused a massive public health stir at Cafe Fleur by Jen in Beach St, Frankston on Tuesday lunchtime because she refused to wear a mask.
The 58-year-old from Frankston allegedly coughed and abused cafe staff and customers, resisted arrest and refused to provide police with her details.
Dubbed a social media “Karen” for not following public health guidelines, Ms Crerar also refused to answer COVID-19 questions.
She faces a total of nine assault, affray, resisting emergency worker and failing to comply with Chief Health Officer directions charges.
Frankston police detective Senior-Constable Belinda Rampal told Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday Ms Crerar walked into the cafe and allegedly began coughing loudly.
A customer turned around and asked her to stop, but then Ms Crerar allegedly coughed in the woman’s face.
A staff member asked her to put a mask on but she refused, saying she was a “sovereign citizen” and “didn’t need to comply”.
She was offered a mask but refused to put it on and allegedly screamed at and coughed on the staff member before walking towards her car.
Police arrived and asked her for her details, but she then allegedly refused to give her name and address, was “hysterical and irrational” and resisted arrest, yelling “rape, rape” multiple times while allegedly striking out at officers.
Sen-Constable Rampal said her husband, who was in the car at the time, “tolerated” her stance, and provided police with her ID.
Ms Crerar was eventually subdued and taken to Frankston police station for interview where she continued to be uncooperative.
Sen-Constable Rampal said police opposed bail because they feared she would put members of the community at risk by refusing to comply with public health directives.
The staff victim, who told police she was terrified that she may have coronavirus, is now in 14-day quarantine.
Ms Crerar’s defence lawyer said Ms Crerar held anti-authoritarian views and believed she didn’t need to abide by public health restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said she did not show any symptoms of the virus, there was no evidence she intentionally coughed at anyone and she would be contesting the charges.
Magistrate Ross Betts said Ms Crerar’s attitude posed a significant community concern.
“These are serious allegations,” Mr Betts said.
“To release her would be an unacceptable risk, and I do not believe there are any (bail) conditions I could impose that could alleviate that risk.”
Ms Crerar, who did not appear in court because she is in isolation quarantine, was remanded in custody to face court again on August 21.
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