Magistrates slap bigger fines on lockdown law-breakers from Northampton, Daventry and Towcester

Magistrates have issued a string of fines to residents from in and around Northampton who were caught breaking coronavirus laws during the first national lockdown back in April and May.

Police were given powers to issue £60 penalties — later increased to £100 — to anyone leaving home without a reasonable excuse or gathering in groups of more than two people while outside.

Repeat offenders had fines increased while those who did not pay wound up in court.

Northamptonshire Police is continuing to enforce the latest coronavirus regulations — which now includes minimum £200 tickets for failing to wear face coverings and gathering in groups of six or more — and recently issued five maximum £10,000 penalties to organisers of events attended by up to 150 people in the last two weeks or so.

Superintendent Elliot Foskett said: "We've been responding to coronavirus for about nine months, people know they can't have parties so ignorance is not an excuse.

"We've also issued 45 other Fixed Penalty Notices in last week and we're not going to blind eye over the Christmas period, it's too important an issue for that.

"If you decide you are going to have a party you can expect us to come knocking on your door and you will get a £10,000 fine.

"Even if you are not the organiser and your are at a party, you are likely to get a £200 fine just for being there."

The following cases were heard at Northampton Magistrates on December 11 in relation to offences between April 17 and May 16:

Dr Manraj Matharu, aged 25, of University of Northampton, St Georges Avenue, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Kettering Road, Northampton on May 10, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Damien Culverhouse, aged 26, of Fairfield Road, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Crow Lane, Northampton, on May 11, 2020. Fined £40, surcharge and costs £124.

Anthony Davage, aged 38, of Great Gull Crescent, Northampton, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people at Northampton on May 9, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Karol Derda, aged 27, of Lion Court, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse on May 10, 2020, at Kettering Road, Northampton. Fined £73, surcharge and costs £124.

Yusuf Mohammed Hussain, aged 25, of Bellropes Square, Northampton, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people at Boughton Green Road on May 13, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Nelu Iordace, of Abbots Way, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Kettering Road, Northampton, on May 10, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Daniel Moisa, aged 23, of Marshleys Court, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Billing Road East on May 16, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Daisy Morris, aged 21, of Northampton Road, Yardley Hastings, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people at Northampton on May 2, 2020. Fined £116, surcharge and costs £124.

Jack Gary Nowak, aged 27, of St Albans Road, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Northampton on May 9, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Jigar Patel, aged 31, of Logwell Court, Northampton, participated in a gathering in a public place of more than two people at Northampton on April 17, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Viorel Postica, aged 24, of Farnborough Drive, Daventry, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Wildern Lane, Northampton, May 9, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Andrew Smith, aged 34, of St Lawrence Road, Towcester, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Northampton on April 30. Fined £40, surcharge and costs £124.

Paul-lucian Lucien Stoica, aged 35, of East Paddock Court, Northampton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Billing Road East on May 16. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.

Courtney Tony Marriott, aged 20, of Carey Close, Moulton, out during the emergency period without reasonable excuse at Mill Lane on May 2, 2020. Fined £220, surcharge and costs £124.