MOTORIST’S £489 BILL FOR FLOUTING LOCKDOWN RULES

Woman on non-essential journey with two men

MOTORIST Angela Harrison has been fined after police caught her travelling in a car with two men.

The 43-year-old was found to be breaching Covid-19 restrictions by carrying two passengers from outside her own household on a nonessential journey.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that Harrison’s vehicle was stopped by police in Newcastle on

January 16. Prosecutor Sue Hayers said: “Police officers had cause to stop a vehicle.

“This lady was the driver and she was in the company of two males.

“She was asked if she lived with the males or if they were in a bubble together. She said not. She was asked what the purpose of her journey was. She said they were out for a drive.

“She was unable to provide any explanation as to why she was with the males at the time so she was given a fixed penalty notice. That was not paid, therefore the matter has come before the court.”

Harrison, of Cauldon Avenue, Bradwell, pleaded guilty to participating in a gathering in a public outdoor place of more than two people.

She claimed she didn’t pay the fixed penalty because she didn’t receive it.

Harrison was not represented by a solicitor in court, but told magistrates: “My car has a diesel engine. You have to do something with the filtration, I didn’t know how to do it so I took somebody with me to help.”

Magistrates fined Harrison £320 and ordered her to pay £169 in court costs and charges.