Tougher sentencing call for Covid attacks
Tougher sentences should be imposed on those who cough, sneeze or spit on police officers in a deliberate attempt to infect them with Covid-19 it has been claimed, after new figures revealed a spate of “disgusting and unpleasant” incidents.
Police Scotland said the 13 incidents, which happened between January and March this year, were “utterly deplorable and unacceptable” while the Scottish Police Federation said stiffer sentencing was required for those who assault officers and deliberately try to infect them with coronavirus.
The statistics were reported to members of the Scottish Police Authority at their June board meeting, and also show instances where police officers reported Covid-related incidents after having their masks dislodged during a struggle.
According to a report in new justice and social affairs publication, 1919, Caroline Macnaughton, the SPF’S North Area deputy
secretary, said: “It has been made clear by the chief constable of Police Scotland in his pledge that violence and abusive behaviour against police officers won’t be tolerated.
“But the courts don’t seem to have that view, and too often people convicted of such incidents don’t get the sentence they deserve.
“These statistics show the act of coughing, sneezing and spitting on officers is being used by criminals in targeted assaults. The act is disgusting and unpleasant and has always carried the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.”