Quarantined in holding cell

Alleged offender refused to comply

A LAUNCESTON man accused of repeatedly breaking his enforced coronavirus quarantine in a government-hired facility has been refused bail in Launceston Magistrates Court.

Richard Pollock, 50, appeared before Magistrate Simon Brown by video link in Launceston yesterday.

He was charged with failing to comply with a direction of the Deputy Director of Public Health, breaches of bail relating to the quarantine noncompliance charges, discharging a missile in public and other offences.

Mr Pollock flew home to Launceston from Western Australia via Victoria on March 25. That was after the introduction of requirements for local residents returning to the state to be taken directly from the airport to hotels being run by the State Government to ensure they stayed in quarantine for 14 days before returning into the community.

Police said they received complaints that Mr Pollock was not complying with COVID-19 isolation requirements on Sunday, and had left the facility where he was being kept.

He was arrested, taken to Launceston Police Headquarters, and charged with failing to comply with isolation requirements. He was bailed with further conditions and returned to the facility to continue his period of isolation.

Police have alleged the man left his room at the facility again on Monday, and was arrested and taken to the Launceston Police Headquarters where he was charged and detained to appear in court yesterday. Bail was refused by Magistrate Simon Brown.

Mr Pollock will appear in court again tomorrow, when it is expected he will enter pleas.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine yesterday said Police alleged Mr Pollock received several warnings in relation to leaving the premises and about his behaviour.

Tasmania Police has carried out more than 5000 quarantine compliance checks.

Commissioner Hine said support was available to those in quarantine in the hotels, including mental health support and alcohol and drug support.

“We’re relying on people to do the right thing,” he said.