A Canberra woman has been locked up after allegedly threatening to kill two police officers and their families, then coughing on two different officers whilst claiming to be infected with COVID-19.
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Jayce Leigh Cooper was remanded in custody on Monday, when Magistrate Beth Campbell described the 30-year-old's alleged behaviour as "unforgivable".
Police documents tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court say that on Sunday morning, two officers stopped in Hawker to talk to Cooper, who unsuccessfully tried to flee.
The documents say Cooper was on bail at the time and gave the officers a false name after being stopped, but the officers identified her and arrested her for breaching a condition of her release.
Cooper allegedly tried to break free from these officers several times and repeatedly abused them, making threats including: "You're f...ing dead, both of youse".
Police say Cooper also told the officers: "I'll find out where you dogs live", "I'll kill your f...ing family, c...", and "I'll knock you the f... out".
The officers eventually managed to get Cooper into their vehicle.
When they arrived at the ACT Watch House, Cooper allegedly began "violently" coughing on a separate pair of police officers and telling them she had COVID-19.
Cooper was subsequently charged with two counts of common assault, as well as resisting arrest and intimidating a public official. During a bail hearing on Monday, she did not enter pleas.
The court heard that if convicted of the charges, she will also be in breach of a good behaviour order that took effect in January.
Prosecutor Bridget Atkinson, who opposed bail, said the alleged coughing incident was "deeply distressing and disturbing" given the universal fear surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus disease had claimed more than 114,000 lives worldwide as of Monday morning.
Ms Atkinson said the police officers involved were ordered into isolation and would have understandably feared for their wellbeing.
She said Cooper had, however, since tested negative for COVID-19.
Cooper appeared in court via audio-visual link and repeatedly coughed and sniffed while representing herself.
She denied telling police she had the coronavirus disease. She said she had only told officers she was sick with what "might be" COVID-19.
Cooper also claimed police officers had broken her hand.
"They were a bit violent towards me before I was violent towards them," Cooper said.
Ms Campbell refused bail, describing the behaviour outlined in the police allegations as "awful" and "unacceptable"
The magistrate told Cooper people needed to expect repercussions if they "intimidated and frightened" police officers by playing on COVID-19 fears.
"The reality is that what you said to the police ... was unforgivable," Ms Campbell told Cooper.
The case is due to return to court on May 1.
