Covirus 19 coronavirus: jailed in Christchurch supermarket jailed after violating bail conditions

A man who filmed himself coughing up supermarket buyers during the Covid-19 outbreak was jailed after violating his bail conditions.

Raymond Coombs, 38, was charged in Christchurch District Court this morning with failing to meet his conditions. He had sent an email to a woman without prior permission.

Coombs’ terms included not accessing the Internet, except for Facebook Messenger conversations with friends and family.

He pleaded guilty to offensive behavior on April 6 after uploading a video on Facebook showing he pretended to cough shoppers at the Fresh Choice supermarket in Barrington.

He then downloaded the video and apologized, claiming that he had drunk too much.

“It was a silly and callous act, and I’m sorry, I really do,” he said in court last week.

Coombs’ attorney said at the time that his client had been watching prank videos on YouTube before recording the images at the supermarket.

Judge Jane McMeeken said she owed the country an apology and described the incident as serious.

He noted that he was not isolated: Coombs had previously uploaded another video in which he claimed to have the virus. Later it was negative for Covid-19.

“This is an unprecedented moment in New Zealand history … many people are suffering,” said McMeeken.

“Your behavior would have added to that suffering.

“It is vitally important for our country to get out of prison as soon as possible. Your actions could have stopped it.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described Coombs as an “idiot”.

Initially, he was facing criminal nuisance charges and was not following the orders of a medical health officer.

The criminal nuisance charge was changed to one of offensive behavior and the other was dropped.

He will be sentenced on May 19.