Notts student among first to pay £10,000 Covid-19 fine
A Nottinghamshire student has become one of the first people in the country to pay a £10,000 Covid fine.
The 20-year-old handed over the sum – more than enough to pay for an entire year of tuition at his university – after police were called to a report of a party at a time when Covid-19 cases in the region were reaching critical levels.
The third-year Nottingham Trent University student was given the £10,000 fine for hosting the gathering in Lenton on October 20.
Officers issued the fine after warning it was illegal under the restrictions at the time to hold a gathering of more than 30 people.
The party was uncovered by Nottingham City Council-led community protection officers on a proactive patrol before police were called.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This should send out a warning to people that it is really not worth breaking the law when it comes to Covid legislation.
“Most people in Nottinghamshire fully support and understand the reasons why the law is in place – to stop the NHS being overwhelmed by a wave of patients affected by the virus which thrives on social contact.
“Sadly there is a minority for whom enforcement is left as the only option.”
All payments of fixed penalty notice fines issued under coronavirus legislation on behalf of police forces in England and Wales are processed by the ACRO Criminal Records Office.
The funds from these payments are distributed to local authorities in England and Wales, in line with legislation.
