Home / New ZealandCovid 19 coronavirus: Supermarket cougher Raymond Coombs appears in courtNZ Herald5 Apr, 2020 10:44 PM2 mins to readSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditThe man filmed himself coughing on customers at the supermarket.The man filmed himself coughing on customers at the supermarket.A Christchurch man who filmed himself deliberately coughing on supermarket shoppers has appeared in court.Raymond Gary Coombs, 38, faces two charges in the Christchurch District Court – where he appeared via video link today. One charge is of criminal nuisance - and one is of failing to follow a Medical Officer of Health's orders. The latter charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison.He was refused bail and has been tested for Covid-19.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Coombs sparked outrage over the weekend when he filmed himself coughing and sneezing on customers in the Barrington Fresh Choice – and posted it on Facebook.He later took down the video and apologised – claiming he'd had too much to drink.Police arrested Coombs on Saturday night.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Judge Jane McMeeken told the court today she considers this serious offending – which has caused concern nationwide.Coombs was remanded in custody until Thursday – while the court awaits his Covid-19 test results.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday described the man as an "idiot".READ MORE:• Coronavirus: Steady stream of people at Northland testing stations• Possible Covid-19 patient from Northland tests negative, more results expected back by today• Covid 19 coronavirus: Coronavirus cases in Northland now 11, testing to be widened• Covid-19 testing stations to start in NorthlandIn the video Coombs walks through Fresh Choice supermarket in Barrington, coughing near other customers and smiling.The post was later deleted from his Facebook page."I'm sorry for this prank. It never should've happened, the alcohol had really taken effect and I have no sensor when I get this messy," Coombs wrote."There is nothing else that I can say but apologise to everybody, and assure you all it will not happen again."Fresh Choice Barrington confirmed they reported the video to police.NeedToKnow3• Covid19.govt.nz: The Government's official Covid-19 advisory websiteAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME. SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from New ZealandNew ZealandPolice arrest shoplifters accused of $250k theft spreeNew ZealandHow Gisborne plans to engage youth voters in the local body electionsNew ZealandCredit card scam involved nearly 1500 stolen identitiesSponsoredSolar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night skyAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
