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Police arrested and fined this woman for being at a train station during lockdown

Photo credit: Dan Kitwood - Getty Images
Photo credit: Dan Kitwood - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

We've been living under the vital coronavirus lockdown rules for while now, one of which includes restrictions on where and how it's okay to exercise. Another of the government imposed guidelines includes a ban against all non-essential travel – everyone who can work from home, has been urged to do so.

It's now reported that a woman has been arrested and fined with an offence related to breaking the latter ruling, after she couldn't provide a valid reason for loitering at Newcastle Central station. It's believed that the woman in question, Maria Dinou, 41, was spotted by police officers at around 8am on Saturday morning, but could not give a valid reason for being at the station.

Subsequently, she was arrested and handed a fine of more than £800, after being prosecuted under Schedule 21 of the Coronavirus Act, The Times say (£660 fine for failing to comply with requirements imposed under the Coronavirus Act 2020, in addition to an £85 fine for ticket fraud and £80 in legal costs).

British Transport Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Sean O’Callaghan, said of the incident, "While a ticket offence had also been committed in this case, enforcement of any sort under the new regulations really is a last resort, especially arrest."

"In this case, officers tried their utmost best to engage with Dinou. I can assure you we would much rather not have to take such action."

The British Transport Police have tweeted a warning that anybody who is travelling, can "expect to be challenged" by officers. "If you're travelling on the rail network today and it's NOT for an essential reason, you can expect to meet our officers and be challenged as to why you're there."

Photo credit: Cosmopolitan
Photo credit: Cosmopolitan

However, speaking on Dinou's case in particular, Kirsty Brimelow, QC, the first chairwoman of the Bar Human Rights Committee said she was within her rights to appeal the court decision. “Powers under the Coronavirus Act [do not] relate to a direction to provide identity or reason for a journey. So it seems that she has been prosecuted and convicted for an offence which does not exist under this act. She has an option of appeal.”

We have reached out to the British Transport Police for clarification on the rules and this case in particular.

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