Five people forced to pay thousands in court after breaking Derbyshire COVID lockdown rules

The five people were ticketed for a variety of breaches earlier in the year – but all five left their fines unpaid.

After a review by the force the five individuals, who the force is not naming, were sent to court where they were handed further fines totalling £6,655.

The five were given the following fines on the following dates:

A man, 65, travelled to Grassmoor, Chesterfield on April 25 to visit girlfriend. His home address was found to be a caravan site that was being used by key workers who were having to stay away from their families in order to protect them. He received a £379 fine, £85 in costs and £37 victim surcharge.

Another man, 20, in Loundsley Green, Chesterfield, was charged following reports of a house party on April 26. Officers checked and the man was found to already have been given a ticket which had been subsequently rescinded. He received a £666 fine, £85 in costs and £66 victim surcharge.

A man, 37, travelled from Sheffield to Longshaw on April 26 to camp and have a BBQ. Refused to give details to officer and was obstructive.He received a £1,760 fine, £85 in costs and £176 victim surcharge.

A woman, 32, was also charged for the same offence and received the same penalty.

And a man aged 59 was charged for having a large group at a house. Officers attended and he refused to disperse and was abusive towards them. He received a £1,100 fine, £85 in costs and £110 victim surcharge.Detective Chief Inspector Emlyn Richards, who leads the force’s response to COVID-19, said: “Each of the five people listed above were given adequate opportunity to pay the fine.

“All of the cases had their own particular aggravating circumstances – with some putting key workers at risk with their behaviour, others repeatedly breaching the restrictions and others travelling a significant distance at a time when COVID-19 was spreading across the country.

“Over the last nine months officers have tried to engage, educate and encourage people to follow the rules. These five heeded none of those warnings and I hope that their significant fines act as double warning.