A woman who spat on three Auckland Transport staff has been sentenced to 40 hours community work and one year's intensive supervision.
The 32-year-old Laingholm woman pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced on Tuesday.
The incident happened on Friday April 17 during New Zealand's alert level four lockdown.
During level four, public transport was only for essential travel, and when questioned the woman became abusive and spat at transport officers.
Auckland mayor Phil Goff released a statement saying "spitting on anyone is disgusting and unacceptable at any time, but during a pandemic it is dangerous as well as vile."
Goff believed the woman got off lightly "she should count herself lucky the sentence was not more severe."
Auckland Transport chief executive Shane Ellison is pleased Police took the incident seriously.
"It caused stress for the staff members who had to be tested for coronavirus and stood down from work."
Both Goff and Ellison stressed behaviour such as spitting is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
