Man jailed for coronavirus assault in Glasgow's Queen Park
Ryan Haggerty coughed and sneezed on a man, claiming he had Covid-19
A man who coughed and sneezed on a man in a Glasgow park, claiming he had coronavirus, has been jailed for almost a year.
Ryan Haggerty assaulted Andrew Murdoch in Queens Park in April. He later claimed he had been joking about being infected with Covid-19 when stopped by police officers.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Mr Murdoch spotted a drunk Haggerty walking in his direction prior to the incident.
Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “Haggerty said ‘Sorry boys’ and then stopped approximately four feet away, coughed and sneezed in his direction.
“He then said ‘I’ve got corona’.”
Mr Murdoch contacted police officers and told them Haggerty had fled nearby
Officers soon stopped Haggerty who told Mr Murdoch: “I don’t have corona, I’m sorry I caused you fear and alarm.
“I’m really sorry I was only doing it for a bit of a laugh.It was only a joke, I don’t have corona.”
Haggerty, of the city’s Shawlands pleaded guilty to the assault while on bail from Paisley and Glasgow Sheriff Court.
He was sentenced to 11 months behind bars.
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