Chef who broke quarantine by buying water is fined £2,000

A CHEF was fined £2,000 after he visited a newsagent to buy a bottle of water on Guernsey when he should have been self-isolating.

Sanjeev Kumar, 31, had agreed to isolate for two weeks – as specified in local regulations – after arriving in Guernsey Airport from Southampton.

But as he made the 10-minute walk from the airport to a hotel, Kumar stopped off at a shop to buy a drink.

The hotel’s housekeeper recognised Kumar inside the newsagents and informed authorities. Police officers later found him in a chalet at the hotel, whereupon Kumar admitted he had been in the shop.

Judge Graeme Mckerrell, at Guernsey magistrates’ court, ordered Mr Kumar to pay a fine of £2,000. He said a clear message needed to be sent out that any breach of the regulations would not be tolerated.

The judge said that he did not understand why Kumar could not have waited another five minutes to walk down the hill to the New Manor hotel.

“‘You did an extraordinarily foolish thing, given that you were only a short distance away from the hotel,” the judge told Kumar.

Kumar had attempted to buy water at Southampton Airport, but all the shops were closed, as was the Guernsey Airport shop, the court heard.

However, there was a drinking fountain at the airport which Kumar could have used, said prosecuting advocate Jenny Mcveigh.

After completing his two-week isolation period, Kumar had gone to police headquarters where he was charged.

Defending Kumar, advocate David Domaille said his client was apologetic and regretted his error of judgment.

Judge Mckerrell gave Kumar credit for his guilty plea and being of previous good character, and also for volunteering that he had been to the shop when questioned by police.

The judge told the court he was prepared to impose a reduced fine of £2,000 or 100 days in prison.