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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Alleged spitter skips date in court

By: Mike McIntyre

31/12/2009 1:00 AM

A woman who allegedly spit blood in the face of a Winnipeg paramedic is now accused of snubbing the justice system.

Chantal Vanessa Beardy was supposed to appear in court Wednesday on charges including assault and failing to comply with previous court orders. However, she was nowhere to be found when her name was called on the docket, prompting the judge to issue an arrest warrant from the bench.

Beardy, 21, was first arrested in October following a dispute in the back of an ambulance. Police released her later that day on a promise to appear in court.

Paramedics had been called to the area of Ellice Avenue and Balmoral Street to check on the well-being of an intoxicated woman. She immediately became violent and began spitting blood and saliva in the face of a male paramedic and attempted to bite his female partner.

Police rushed to the scene and placed a "spit sock" over her head to stop the attack.

The incident happened only weeks after the provincial government introduced the Testing of Bodily Fluids and Disclosure Act, which is designed to offer protection for front-line emergency workers.

The bill allows police officers, paramedics, firefighters, hospital workers and victims of crime who've been exposed to bodily fluids to demand a blood sample through the courts to find out if the accused is infected with diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.

The accused has the right to fight the order, meaning it quickly heads to court to be argued before a judge. Ignoring the order can result in fines or jail time. Before the bill, people could refuse permission to provide a blood sample without consequence.

In this case, the veteran paramedic who was spat on immediately filed a testing order with the courts. A sample was drawn and the results were negative.

He was in court Wednesday hoping to see his alleged attacker make her first court appearance. Beardy will be detained in custody when police find and arrest her.

www.mikeoncrime.com

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 31, 2009 B4