Students in court for role in ‘biggest party’

POLICE described a Covidbreaching house party hosting at least 66 people “as the biggest house party they have seen”, magistrates heard.

Officers arrived at an address in Kimbolton Avenue, Lenton, after a community protection officer heard noise and shouting on October 20 last year.

Three full-time final-year Nottingham Trent University students lived there and were celebrating an end to a period of self-isolation.

Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard the whole household had previously self-isolated due to two positive tests.

Rebecca Williams, prosecuting, said some of those at the party were concealed in the basement.

Fixed penalty notices were issued and four people have paid them.

Three defendants had not paid, resulting in court action and a criminal record.

Marcus Bounds, 20, Miles Burney, 20, and Louis Eales, 21, all of Kimbolton Avenue, appeared over a virtual link to enter their pleas.

They pleaded guilty to participating in a gathering of two or more people indoors.

Ms Williams said at least 66 people were at the party and “police described it as the biggest house party they have seen”.

It was during the pandemic when Nottingham was in Tier 2 restrictions and when the infection rate was rising sharply, the court heard.

Ms Williams said the breach was deliberate.

The defendants accepted they each invited no more than six people each to attend the address.

It was clearly a breach of the regulations of no more than two people gathering inside.

All three men, who appeared together on one camera, were of previous good character.

In mitigtion, Daniella Waddoop said that each defendant had invited a number of friends to the house that evening.

A large number of people arrived who had not in fact been invited.

Having lost control of the gathering, they considered calling police for assistance...just at the moment police arrived.

Officers were invited into the house and the defendants were polite throughout.

Ms Waddoop said this was a decision made in “strange and trying times”, and the defendants were now acutely aware that this had been a irresponsible and reckless decision.

She said the decision was out of character for the young men, who have never been in trouble with the court before.

Bounds, who is studying quantity surveying, has spent a significant part of lockdown working in a care home.

All three men had been through the university disciplinary process before three university deans and other senior university representatives.

They described making a massive mistake and apologised unreservedly.

They each received 20 hours of community service after the disciplinary hearing and allowed to complete their studies.

Burney and Eales, both studying property finance investment, and Bounds were ordered to pay court costs each of £85, a fine of £220 and a victim surcharge of £34.