Sovereign citizen arrested in Melbourne for assaulting police when they asked her to wear a mask

A woman charged with assaulting police over her alleged refusal to wear a face mask remains in custody after a magistrate raised concerns about whether she would cover up during her court appearance or if released on bail.

Mandy Crerar, 58, is accused of entering a Frankston cafe without a mask on August 11 and coughing over another person. Police allege that when asked to wear a mask inside the cafe she began screaming she was a "sovereign citizen" and yelled she didn't need to comply with the state government's coronavirus laws.

When police were called and Ms Crerar left the cafe, she allegedly resisted arrest and scratched an officer who was trying to handcuff her, according to documents released by Frankston Magistrates Court. She repeatedly yelled "rape, rape" as the officers tried to arrest her, the documents say.

Ms Crerar was not brought to a video link room in jail for her bail application on Tuesday amid confusion about whether she was prepared to wear a mask during the hearing.

Police opposed Ms Crerar's bail out of concern she would not comply with rules to wear a mask when outside, and fears she would intentionally cough on people and return to the cafe to intimidate staff and customers.

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