Stroud man arrested for allegedly coughing in face of paramedic

A man who was self-isolating in Stroud with suspected coronavirus has been arrested after a paramedic was coughed at.

Paramedics were called to an address in the Gloucestershire town at around 11pm on Saturday (March 28) night, where a man reported feeling unwell.

Upon arrival, another man who was self-isolating at the property allegedly coughed in the face of the one of the paramedics.

The man, who is 43-year-old, was subsequently arrested, charged and remanded for assaulting an emergency worker by way of coughing and threatening GBH by infecting with Covid-19.

Reports of people coughing at emergency workers and members of the public have increased amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The incident in Stroud is one of several to have been reported across the West Country over the weekend.

On Friday (March 27) two people were arrested in Bridgwater after allegedly coughing at a woman.

Police officers are now enforcing restrictions. Credit: PA

Police said two people allegedly coughed at the woman, who was walking near Cranleigh Gardens at the time.

Other incidents reported to Avon and Somerset Police include:

  • A 26-year-old woman has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker in connection with an incident in which an officer was coughed and spat at. It happened after officers were called to attend reports of a house party in Bridgwater, at just after 7pm last night. The woman is due to attend Taunton Magistrates’ Court next month.

  • A 42-year-old woman has been charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker following an incident in Peasedown St John, Bath, at just after 7.30pm last night. One of the charges relates to an officer being spat at. She’s due to appear at Bath Magistrates’ Court next month.

  • A 36-year-old woman has been charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker relating to an incident in which officers attended a domestic-related incident in Bridgwater at just before 8pm last night. The charges relate to physical assaults on two officers. The woman is due to appear at Bridgwater Magistrates’ Court next month.

Ch Supt Carolyn Belafonte said any assault on officers was particularly abhorrent in light of the public health crisis the country is facing.

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the West Country, including case numbers, event cancellations and venue closures, click here.

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