Man charged and woman fined after separate breaches of Public Health Orders, NSW

Police charged a man in Northern NSW and fined a woman in the Central West yesterday over alleged non-compliance with COVID-19 Public Health Orders.

Just before midday yesterday (Monday 10 August 2020), officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to a hotel on Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, after reports a man was refusing to leave.

Police were told the man was refused entry after he refused to sign-in or provide identification to comply with COVID-19 requirements but entered the establishment regardless, before allegedly intimidating and threatening the manager.

On arrival, police located the 38-year-old man – and his associates – in the carpark and requested their details, before the man became aggressive and abusive towards the officers.

A second man, aged 29, also became aggressive and was swearing at police, while the rest of the group walked away.

After the older man again refused to provide details and continued to act in an aggressive manner, he was arrested, and while he was being placed in a caged truck, the younger man was continuing to swear at police.

The younger man was issued an infringement for offensive language and given a move-on direction, while the older man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.

He was charged with intimidate police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, excluded person fail to leave premises when required, use offensive language in/near public place/school and not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9 – COVID-19.

The Banora Point man was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today (Tuesday 11 August 2020).

In a separate and unrelated incident, officers from Central West Police District became aware of reports a woman at Lake Cargelligo, who had recently entered NSW from Victoria, was failing to comply with the conditions of her entry permit on Sunday evening (9 August 2020).

An investigation commenced and officers spoke with the 34-year-old woman yesterday morning (Monday 10 August 2020), and directed her to comply with the conditions of her permit, which includes self-isolation at an address at Murrin Bridge.

Following further inquiries, police attended the designated address at Murrin Bridge again this morning (Tuesday 11 August 2020), and spoke with the woman before she was issued with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN) for breaching the Public Health Order on Sunday.

Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence.

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