Update: Man charged after alleged claims of having coronavirus and flicking spit at police

UPDATE: MAN, 53, charged with assault after alleged spitting at Police officers after claiming to have coronavirus

A man was arrested overnight for allegedly claiming to have coronavirus and spitting at police.

UPDATE: A 53-year-old man has been charged with assault after allegedly claiming he had “that” disease and spitting on two Police officers who were responding to a disturbance at a Moulden residence.

Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage called it a disgusting and reckless act.

“I am appalled and disgusted at this behaviour and hope our officers do not contract any illness following this reckless act,” he said.

The man was arrested at the scene and taken to the Palmerston watch house.

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The man was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Darwin Local Court via video link on Tuesday.

EARLIER: A MAN was arrested overnight for allegedly claiming to have coronavirus and spitting at police.

Northern Watch Commander Sonia Kennon said police were called to a home in Moulden where a drunk man was allegedly threatening to assault a neighbour.

“Upon police arrival the male stated that he had ‘that disease’ to which the officers were of the belief he meant COVID-19 and spat towards the officers,” Watch Cmdr Kennon said.

“He then spat into his hand and flicked his saliva at the officers, with his sputum landing on one of the officers arms.”

Watch Cmdr Kennon said once he was sober, the man would be charged with assault.

After about 7pm last night NT Police arrested a man in Katherine who was caught doing 114km/per hour in a 80km zone.

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Police attempted to pull the driver over and found him later on.

“The driver provided a positive result for a low range drink driving offence and driving under the influence of drugs (cannabis),” she said.

“The driver was also found with a small amount of cannabis.”

He was charged for multiple offences Including low range drink driving, failing to signal and driving under influence of drugs.