Man said he had Covid-19 and coughed on police during arrest

Stephen Gilhoolie, 34, was found with a knife in Glasgow’s Shettleston area in April this year.

Man said he had Covid-19 and coughed on police during arrest SNS Group

A man caught with a knife claimed he had coronavirus and then coughed on police officers as they arrested him. 

Stephen Gilhoolie, 34, was found with the eight-inch blade in Glasgow’s Shettleston area in April this year.

On Thursday, the city’s sheriff court heard officers witnessed a drunk Gilhoolie discard the knife and went to arrest him.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He shouted ‘I’ve got coronavirus’ and deliberately and recklessly coughed towards the faces of the officers.

“He continued to shout ‘I’ve got coronavirus’ as they were arresting him.”

A spit-hood was applied and Gilhoolie was taken into custody.

He then went on a racist tirade towards one of the processing officers.

Gilhoolie said: “You are a terrorist, you should be selling fruit and veg in Govanhill.”

Gilhoolie pleaded guilty to the possession of a knife in a public place, culpable and reckless conduct towards police, and acting in a racially aggravated manner.

Sentence was deferred until next month for background reports by Sheriff Paul Crozier, who continued Gilhoolie’s remand in custody meantime.