A Scots thug who coughed at a cop and claimed to have coronavirus at the start of current pandemic has been jailed.
Michelle Barr, 35, told officers she "didn't care" about advice in force at the time, a week before the UK went into full lockdown, that people with symptoms should stay at home.
Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that Barr had been taken to Falkirk Police Station on March 18th 2020 in connection with "a separate matter".
Prior to her being locked in a cell, Detective Constable Fraser Gibson searched her jacket pockets and "narrowly avoided an open-faced razor that she hadn't advised was there".
Barr then coughed and said to police officers, "I was diagnosed with coronavirus symptoms six hours ago."
Prosecutor Katie Cunningham said: "She was asked why she was even out of the house in that case, and she said 'F*** it, I'm not bothered, I've been out all day and I don't care'."
Appearing by video link from Cornton Vale Prison, Barr, of Falkirk, pleaded guilty to culpable and reckless conduct in denying being in possession of any sharp objects when she had the razor, and by coughing in vicinity of constables Fraser Gibson and William Ure while claiming to be coronavirus symptomatic - all to the officers' danger.
Solicitor Gordon Addison, defending, said: "She has been in custody many times, has been destitute, has a long-standing drug problem, and she'd had a stillborn child at the time of her arrest.
"She had an awful upbringing and has been a heroin addict for many, many years. There is a great deal of bitterness in Miss Barr.
"She has little or no recollection of this arrest, having had so many, and she was intoxicated, probably on drink, certainly on drugs.
"She had the razor in her pocket for no other reason than that people need to use a razor from time to time.
"She coughed because she was unwell."
Sheriff Maryam Labaki jailed Barr for six months.
She told Barr: "You've pleaded guilty on indictment to an extremely serious matter. I'm of the view there's no alternative to custody."
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