A GREENOCK woman charged with coughing on a police officer after allegedly declaring she had coronavirus has failed in a bid for bail.

Kirsty Findlay has been locked up since March following her arrest for the alleged offence and a theft charge.

The current backlog in court cases due to the Covid-19 outbreak means she might have spent up to a year in jail by the time her case goes to trial.

Her lawyer, Gerry Keenan, lodged a motion for her to be released pending a further pre-trial calling of the case in September.

But this was refused by Sheriff Joseph Hughes.

Sheriff Hughes told 35-year-old Findlay: "It is not appropriate to place you on bail."

She is said to have committed the alleged 'coronavirus' assault at Inverclyde Royal Hospital on March 19.

Prosecutors say she 'culpably and recklessly' coughed on the male PC who was acting in the course of his duty.

A charge against her states that she she 'did shout that [she was] carrying an infectious disease to the danger of possible infection'.

She had been arrested for allegedly stealing money on Newton Street earlier.

The Crown says that Findlay behaved in a threatening or abusive manner at the scene and shouted that she was infected with coronavirus, whilst allegedly acting aggressively and kicking out at a man there.

Solicitor Mr Keenan maintained pleas of not guilty to a total of four charges on her behalf at the latest calling of the case at Greenock Sheriff Court.

Findlay has been further remanded in custody and is due back in the dock on the matters on September 8.