STV reporter deliberately soaked by passing jogger and threatened to be slapped

Laura Alderman was filming shots of Edinburgh Zoo when the incident occured
STV reporter has spoken of how she was accosted by a joggerSTV reporter has spoken of how she was accosted by a jogger
STV reporter has spoken of how she was accosted by a jogger

An Edinburgh-based TV reporter has told how an angry jogger soaked her with water and said she needed a slap for “taking up too much pavement” while filming in the street.

STV reporter Laura Alderman was filming shots of Edinburgh Zoo yesterday when the runner, a blonde-haired woman in a yellow top and black leggings, is said to have confronted her.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After telling the jogger that she is a key worker, Alderman claims the woman threatened to slap her “if it wasn’t for social distancing”.

And she told how the woman was even caught on camera saying “a slap is what you need” before jogging off.

Taking to Twitter after the attack, the reporter said: “So an hour ago this member of the public threw water all over me, my camera kit and said I needed a slap for apparently taking up too much of the pavement whilst out filming ie: doing my job.

““I’ve reported it to police but why oh why is it ok to assault key workers?”

She added; "Luckily I'd pressed record - video to follow."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a series of further tweets, Alderman added: “This woman told me ‘if it wasn’t for social distancing, I’d slap you’ then later on camera says again ‘a slap is what you need’. Lovely member of the public.

“Then jogged off towards Belgrave Road in Edinburgh. I only came out for some pretty shots of Edinburgh Zoo!

“I told her I was a key worker and she accused me of ‘taking the moral high ground’.”

The incident has since been reported to police.

Journalists are classed as key workers under government guidelines on essential work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidelines have been in place since the UK lockdown was introduced by Boris Johnson back in March in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.