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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Emylie Howie

Barrhead covidiot coughed on cop, telling him 'I hope you catch the Delta variant'

A Barrhead covidiot told a police officer ‘I hope you catch the Delta variant’ before coughing in his face.

Kevin McGettigan, of Waulkmill Avenue, told a police officer he would give him cancer and that he wanted to spread Covid-19 on to everyone.

Vile McGettigan, 45, admitted he assaulted a police officer on July 10 last year by coughing on him and he also admitted making homophobic remarks at a female officer on the same day.

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Paisley Sheriff Court heard: “At around 7am on Saturday, July 10, 2021, police had reason to arrest the accused.

“The accused had been assaulted shortly before the arrest and had injuries and due to these, he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to be treated.

“The accused made threats to police constable Webster, stating ‘I’ll give you cancer and I hope you die.’

“The accused also stated ‘I hope you catch the Delta variant’ and ‘I’m not getting my jags, I want to give it to everyone.’

“McGettigan then immediately turned his head to PC Webster and coughed in his face. All police witnesses perceived this cough to be deliberate and directed at PC Webster.

“A spit hood was immediately applied to the accused to offer some protection to police. The accused also repeatedly referred to PC Muir as a ‘lesbian’ and shouted and swore.

“He was then taken to Cathcart police office and held in custody for court on Monday, July 12. Due to his behaviour, he was not formally cautioned and charged.”

Defence agent Charlie McCusker told how during the assault McGettigan had suffered a laceration to his eye, a broken nose and an injury to his body.

Mr McCusker asked the court to call for reports in this case.

Sheriff Gillian Craig deferred sentencing to call for background reports. McGettigan will return to court on April 11 for sentencing.

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