20s Man Who Assaulted Police and Lied "I Have COVID-19" Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison
Court: "Responsibility is very heavy, imprisonment inevitable"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] A man in his 20s who lied about having symptoms of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) after assaulting police officers who responded to a 112 emergency call and was arrested in the act has been sentenced to prison.
On the 15th, the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 8 (Judge Seong Jungyu) announced that it sentenced A (25) to one year in prison on charges of assault and obstruction of official duties.
The court stated, "Immediately after the end of his probation period, he committed another assault incident and assaulted police officers. He also made false statements claiming to have COVID-19 symptoms to avoid detention, causing police stations to be closed," adding, "Although the defendant shows remorse, the responsibility is very serious, making a prison sentence unavoidable," explaining the reason for the sentencing.
A was indicted for repeatedly hitting Mr. and Mrs. B (56) in front of a market in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, around 9:13 p.m. on February 25 this year, allegedly because they honked while he was driving.
He also assaulted the police officers who responded to the call and, after being arrested, falsely reported to 119 from the suspect waiting room that he had suspected COVID-19 symptoms.
In particular, although A had never been to the Gyeongbuk region, he lied that he had visited Yeongju, Gumi, and Daegu and was experiencing headaches and coughing, which led to his transfer to a hospital.
Due to A's false statements at the time, the police station and substation where he was investigated were temporarily closed, and 14 police officers and firefighters were quarantined.
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Police investigations confirmed that A had also been indicted for obstruction of official duties and other charges at the end of 2018 and had received a suspended prison sentence.
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