Unpaid work for Inverness woman who coughed on police
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An Inverness woman coughed over police officers who had arrested her on suspicion of an assault.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Melissa Spears (36), of Carnarc Crescent, was getting out of the police van after being arrested in Corden House in Union Street, Inverness, on April 25, 2020 following an argument.
The court heard she repeatedly coughed and said: “I’ve got corona.” She admitted culpable and reckless conduct.
Defence solicitor Rory Gowans said: “This was in the early stages of the pandemic and she didn’t realise how serious it was. Substance at the time led to poor choices and decision making. She is asking for a chance.”
Sheriff Cruickshank ordered Spears to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody. He also placed her under 18 months of social work supervision and instructed her to take part in a rehabilitation programme.
