Dad who sparked Covid-19 alert avoids jail sentence

A PERTH dad who sparked a Covid-19 alert when he sneezed into his hands and waved them at police has avoided jail.

Albert McCafferty, a father-of-six, became hostile towards officers when they turned up at his home at the start of the pandemic last year.

He lost his temper when investigators began touching items belonging to his partner.

Constables called for back-up when the 38-year-old came towards them with mucus-covered palms and told them: “I have the coronavirus.”

McCafferty, who was restrained on the ground and arrested, admitted at Perth Sheriff Court behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home on April 19.

He further admitted struggling violently with the two officers and attempting to break free as they handcuffed him.

The offence happened at his home in Brora Court, fiscal depute Alistair McDermid previously told the court.

He said: “Police officers Jamie Arthur and Danielle Melville went there on April 19 last year, to carry out inquiries in respect of another matter.

“The accused allowed them in but then became hostile towards the officers.

“He blew his nose into his bare hands, there was mucus on his hands and he waved them in the faces of both constables and stated: ‘I have the coronavirus’.

“He was told to stop but he continued to move towards the officers.

“They took hold of the accused, having informed him he was under arrest. He resisted the application of handcuffs and struggled with his arms and legs.

“Additional officers attended and the accused was restrained.”

Sheriff William Wood told him: “I’m not going to send you to prison.

“However, you can’t do this to police officers when they come to your door.

“You just have to let them go about their business.

“This was an extreme reaction. It is not surprising that they responded in the way that they did.

“I accept that there were increased tensions at the time because of the pandemic.”

McCafferty was ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work and placed on supervision for 12 months.

Father-of-six Albert McCafferty.