A woman will face court today after allegedly repeatedly coughing and spitting on an officer during a vehicle stop in Sydney's south west yesterday.
Just after 5pm (Friday 27 March 2020), Traffic and Highway Patrol officers were patrolling the Greenacre area, when they attempted to stop an Audi on Greenacre Road.
As police conducted a U-turn, the Audi allegedly accelerated away at speed, travelling at no less than 120km/h in a signposted 50km/h zone, before turning left on Waterloo Road.
The Audi was allegedly seen disobeying a red traffic signal at the intersection of Mimosa Road before crossing unbroken lines to overtake a vehicle and turn right into Macquarie Street.
After allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign, the Audi turned right into Roberts Road and stopped in heavy traffic.
An officer, who had been following the Audi, approached the vehicle and spoke to the driver. The driver, a 25-year-old woman, was placed under arrest; however, she refused to get out of the vehicle.
She was physically removed and handcuffed, claiming she was on her way to be tested for COVID-19 before resisting and repeatedly coughing in the officer's face.
The woman was escorted to the police vehicle, and as the officer reached inside, she struck her head against the vehicle window and spat at the officer.
She continued to resist despite a warning from police and was physically restrained on the ground after again spitting in the officer's face.
Further police attended to assist, and the woman was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous, motor vehicle exceed speed more than 45 km/h, drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, and assault officer in execution of duty.
She was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 28 March 2020).
The woman was not displaying any symptoms; however, the officer has undergone COVID-19 testing as a precaution.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, said this kind of behaviour towards police officers, who are just trying to go about their job safely, is not acceptable.
"Police will not tolerate being spat at in any climate, let alone the one we're facing right now. It's as simple as that," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
