A BARNSLEY woman has been charged with three counts of assault on an emergency service worker after spitting and coughing in the face of police officers.
Keeley Jones, 34, of Highstone View, Worsbrough Common, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was given a 16-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, and eight-week curfew via electronic monitoring and was ordered to pay each victim £75 in compensation.
The incident occurred while she was in custody, as she spat and coughed in the faces of two police officers and a detention officer, threatening that she had Covid-19.
Chief Inspector Andy Berriman said: “Our officers are absolutely committed to serving our communities here in Barnsley, our front line remains at full strength despite the challenges around COVID 19.
“While I am pleased that majority of the public are supportive of our officers, there are a few who believe that they can use the current Covid-19 crisis to threaten, intimidate or try to cause harm to officers.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated and we will ensure that those who do so are brought before the courts.”
