Raymond Gary Coombs
Image Source: Photo: John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff, https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/121839999/christchurch-supermarket-cougher-sentenced-for-lockdown-prank
What was the Accusation?
Raymond Gary Coombs faced widespread criticism in April 2020 after filming himself deliberately coughing and sneezing near customers at a FreshChoice supermarket in the Barrington area of Christchurch, New Zealand, during the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. Coombs recorded the incident in selfie mode and posted the footage to Facebook. News reports described him moving through the supermarket, approaching other shoppers while pretending to cough or sneeze, and smiling as he recorded their reactions. The incident occurred at a time when New Zealanders were subject to strict restrictions intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including physical-distancing requirements and instructions that people who were unwell remain at home.
FreshChoice Barrington reported the incident to police and said the supermarket was thoroughly cleaned after management learned about the video. Coombs was arrested and initially faced charges of endangering life by criminal nuisance and obstruction of a medical officer of health. After being tested, he was found to be negative for COVID-19. The criminal-nuisance allegation was subsequently amended to offensive behaviour, while the other charge was dropped. Coombs pleaded guilty to offensive behaviour on April 6, 2020. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern publicly condemned people who disregarded the lockdown rules, referring to such conduct as that of “idiots,” while District Court Judge Jane McMeeken told Coombs that his behaviour could have frightened and distressed people during an unprecedented national emergency.
Coombs apologized after the supermarket video attracted public attention. In a Facebook statement, he described what he had done as a prank that should never have happened, attributed his impaired judgment to alcohol, apologized to those affected, and promised that the behaviour would not be repeated. When he appeared in Christchurch District Court, Coombs apologized again, describing his conduct as a foolish and insensitive act that he regretted. On June 16, 2020, he was fined NZ$750, plus court costs, for the offensive-behaviour offense. Although Coombs was also sentenced that day to 16 months in prison, reporting from RNZ and 1News established that the prison sentence resulted from separate driving offenses rather than the supermarket coughing incident.
Key Apologia Strategies:
Mortification, Defeasibility, Corrective Action
Video
Transcript
Facebook Apology (April 2020):
“I’m sorry for this prank. It never should’ve happened, the alcohol had really taken effect and I have no sensor when I get this messy.”
“There is nothing else that I can say but apologise to everybody, and assure you all it will not happen again.”
Christchurch District Court Judge Requested Coombs Write an Apology Letter (April 6, 2020):
To whom this may concern,
Hello my name is Raymond Gary Coombs. I was responsible for pretending to sneeze on people at the Barrington Mall Fresh Choice Supermarket earlier this year.
I wish to apologize for my behaviour which offended so many people both here as well as far-reaching corners of the globe. I am above all else sincerely sorry and I actually have no excuse. I knew in the moment that what I was doing was highly offensive, rude and potentially imprisonable. I have spent much of my life being selfish, unreliable, arrogance is my middle name. I am as my ex-girlfriend ever so correctly voices, “the gift that keeps on giving”.
One of the ladies at the supermarket was a friend’s mum, a kind and caring person. I am sincerely sorry to you also, and equally.
I told people after my offence that I had not followed the news and therefore had no idea just how serious this global pandemic actually was. This was untrue. I had every idea and I did what I did regardless. I am very embarrassed indeed.
“Finally I would like to apologize to my own family. I feel ashamed. My uncle: your father died due to COVID-19. I will understand if I am never forgiven. I am eternally sorry. Rest in peace uncle.
Yours sincerely,