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Police have charged one person under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.

Yesterday’s charge:

• About 2pm (Sunday 26 April 2020), a 26-year-old woman was at Nepean Hospital seeking treatment, when she allegedly became aggressive towards staff. After threatening them, the woman then allegedly spat on two nurses, two women aged 26 and 34, and a 49-year-old female doctor. Officers from Nepean Police Area Command were notified and attended the hospital. The 26-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station, where she was charged with not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID19, and common assault. The Penrith woman was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

Yesterday’s PINs include:

• About 1am, three men – aged 20, 21 and 23 – attended a fast food restaurant on the Princes Highway, Nowra, and sat at an indoor table together. Staff spoke to the trio and informed them the restaurant was only open for take-away meals. They refused and continued to eat their meals before leaving. Officers from South Coast Police District were patrolling nearby and after speaking to staff, police stopped their vehicle. The 20-year-old driver told police he had driven from Bexley to Sussex Inlet to buy a boat with two friends. They were each issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• About 1am, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling when they observed two males drinking alcohol on Penrith Avenue, Wheeler Heights. When approaching, it’s alleged they ran from police. Following a short foot pursuit, an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested. Officers had previously spoken to the pair two hours earlier about the current Ministerial Directions and were issued with $1000 PINs. The youth was also issued with an infringement for trespass.

• Just after 2am, officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command were patrolling when they stopped and spoke to two men – aged 22 and 44 – on Glebe Point Road, Glebe. It’s alleged the men could not provide a reason for not being home. Checks revealed the younger man has previously been issued two warnings and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN. The older man was issued a warning.

• About 4pm, officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to a unit on West High Street, Coffs Harbour, following reports of a gathering. Police spoke to a 38-year-old man who did not reside at the location. Checks revealed he was previously issued a warning on Thursday 2 April at the same location and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 9am, officers from Riverina Police District were called to Bentley Place, Wagga Wagga, following reports a woman – armed with a tomahawk – was outside a home unit threatening the occupants – a 72-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman. Police attended and arrested a 33-year-old woman. She was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (personal), destroy or damage property, and armed with intent to commit indictable offence. The woman was also issued a $1000 PIN for failing to comply with Ministerial Directions. She was refused bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court today (Monday 27 April 2020).

• About 11.20pm, police attended a unit on Park Avenue, Kingswood, and spoke to a 36-year-old Werrington man and a 35-year-old St Marys woman. The pair allegedly told police they were at the location to visit two friends, who were the occupants of the unit. Checks revealed the man and woman had previously been issued warnings and the woman was issued a PIN last Wednesday (22 April 2020). They were subsequently issued $1000 PINs.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: . Information is treated in strict confidence.