Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices

Police have charged 10 people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 50 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update.

Charges:

• Officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command responded to a home at Miller about 1.15pm (Friday 10 April 2020), following reports of a domestic disturbance. On arrival, police spoke with an 18-year-old man, who was allegedly breaching an ADVO. While the man claimed to have no knowledge of COVID-19, he was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his home. The Mt Druitt man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with domestic violence-related offences and failing to comply with the Public Health Direction (7, 8, 9 – COVID-19).

• About 7.50am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol detected a silver Holden Commodore travelling 74km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Pacific Highway, Killara. Officers stopped the vehicle on Robert Street, and spoke with the driver, a 24-year-old man. The Learner driver got out of his car; however, he was unable to produce his licence and was not displaying L-plates. After the man would not confirm his residential address and failed to remain in his vehicle, they attempted to arrest him. During the arrest, he allegedly attempted to run away before he was arrested by officers. He was taken to Gordon Police Station and charged with resist officer in execution of duty, not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19, learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester, exceed speed, not display L-plates and driver motor vehicle not carry licence. The man was issued with a Court Attendance Notice to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Thursday 9 July 2020.

• About 1.40am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers attached to Wollongong Police Area Command received reports of a disturbance at an unoccupied house on New Dapto Road, Wollongong. Police attended and found two men in the roof cavity of the bungalow, who allegedly threw multiple items at officers, hitting a senior constable on the leg. Two men – aged 29 and 45 – were arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station. The older man was charged with aggravated break and enter, enter enclosed land without lawful excuse and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty. The younger man was charged with aggravated break and enter, enter enclosed land without lawful excuse and resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty, and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. They were both refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 14 April 2020.

• About 6.45pm (Friday 10 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Pyrmont when they stopped a white Honda Civic on Allen Street. Police spoke to the driver, a 34-year-old man, and his passenger, a 31-year-old man, before searching the car. During the search, police seized 1.4kg of cannabis, cash and items consistent with drug distribution. Neither man could provide a reasonable excuse for not being home. They were taken to Day Street Police Station, where both men were charged with deal with the proceeds of crime, not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19 and supply cannabis. They were both refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 11 April 2020).

• About 10.10am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command attended a hotel on the Princes Highway, St Peters, to arrest a 39-year-old for breaching bail conditions. Police arrested the man and a 29-year-old woman who was with him. Following a search of the man's room, police seized a bottle containing GBL and cannabis. The pair were taken to Day Street Police Station, where the woman was charged with possess prohibited drug (cannabis), breach of bail and was given a warning for not complying with ministerial directions. She was issued with a court attendance notice to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 22 July 2020. The man complained of flu-like symptoms and was taken to St Vincent's Hospital for assessment. He refused to undergo a test for COVID-19 and was directed to go into self-isolation for the next 14-days. He was returned to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the man had received a warning from police for not being home without a reasonable excuse last Saturday (4 April 2020). He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today.

• About 10pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended a home on Bridge Avenue, Chain Valley Bay, following reports of an assault. Police spoke to a 52-year-old woman and attempted to arrest a 49-year-old man. The man ignored police instructions and allegedly struck a senior constable on the arm. Following a short struggle, he was arrested and taken to Tuggerah Lakes Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, common assault, and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. Police will allege the man headbutted the woman, who was known to him, in her home. He was given conditional bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2020.

• About 9.30am (Friday 10 April 2020), police conducted a registration check on a white BMW sedan travelling north on George Street, Sydney, which identified the owner was unlicensed. Following inquiries, police found the vehicle parked nearby and located the man at a unit complex on Thomas Street, Ultimo, where he was arrested. He was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with drive while licence cancelled, drive motor vehicle not carry licence and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 9 July 2020.

PINs include:

• Officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to Terranora Road, Banora Point, just after 10.30pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), following reports of the concern for the welfare of a man wandering around on the road. On arrival, police located the man rambling incoherently in the front yard of a home. Checks revealed the man was in breach of his bail conditions and was allegedly in possession of a leather glove and a staff card in someone else's name. After being unable to provide a reasonable explanation for being away from his home and having been warned previously, he was issued with a $1000 PIN, before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He has been refused bail and will next appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday (14 April 2020).

• About 11.10pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), police stopped a vehicle on Lake Road, Port Macquarie, and spoke with the occupants – a 23-year-old man and two women, aged 17 and 20. After providing the details of her twin sister, the 20-year-old woman attempted to leave the scene and a brief struggle ensued. She was detained and all the occupants were issued a warning under the Public Health Act. The 20-year-old woman was taken home by police but refused to enter the home, instead walking away and giving the officers an obscene hand gesture, stating she was going to a friend's house and to leave the fine in the mailbox. She was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command were patrolling when they located two men, aged 20 and 21, from Old Guildford and Chester Hill, and a 16-year-old girl from Riverstone, at Hawkesbury Lookout just after 9pm (Friday 10 April 2020). The group was warned about breaching the Ministerial Direction, and after establishing they had travelled from Chester Hill, Guildford and Riverstone to meet at the location, they were each issued a $1000 PIN.

• An 18-year-old Bankstown woman has been issued a $1000 PIN after being seen driving through Katoomba twice between 3.30am and midday yesterday (Friday 10 April 2020), telling police from Blue Mountains Police Area Command that she was visiting her father who lived in the 'bush'.

• Just after 9pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), police stopped a vehicle on Springdale Road, Wentworthville, and spoke with the driver – a 22-year-old man. He provided no reasonable excuse for being in the area and was subsequently issued with a $1000 PIN.

• Officers from Central North Police District stopped a vehicle and spoke to the occupants – a 22-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, about 7.30pm (Friday 10 April 2020). The pair stated they were buying cigarettes and were issued a warning under the Public Health Act. Just after 8pm the same day, police stopped and spoke to the pair who were walking on Coral Avenue. They could not provide officers with a reasonable excuse for being out and having ignored their direction to return home, were both issued with $1000 PINs.

• About 10.50am (Friday 10 April 2020), a 30-year-old man attended Albury Police Station and told police he wanted to "hang out". He was advised to return home due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. A short time later, the man remained outside the station and was given a move on direction. About 11.10am the same day, police spoke to the man for a third time outside the station and during a search, they found a pair of scissors in his jumper. He was issued with a $1000 PIN, having ignored their direction to return home.

• Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command were patrolling Belvoir Street, Surry Hills, about 10.40am yesterday (Friday 10 April 2020), when they spoke to a 32-year-old woman who was in the middle of the road. Officers issued a move on direction and following checks, it was revealed the woman had been given an official warning for being out of her residence the day before. When asked why she was in Belvoir Street she responded that 'it's a free country' and failed to provide a valid reason. She was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• On Thursday 2 April 2020, officers from Mid North Coast Police District observed people attending and leaving a home on Bay Street, Dunbogan. A 50-year-old resident was issued multiple warnings regarding social gatherings. Between 8.20pm and 9.15pm (Friday 10 April 2020), officers observed three people attend the property separately. The man was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 9pm (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command observed a Ford Territory on Dunmore Street, Wentworthville, with four occupants. It will be alleged the driver, a 23-year-old man, allegedly attempted to avoid police, before he was stopped and could not provide a reasonable excuse for being in the area. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• Officers from Central North Police District observed six people gathered at Ritchie Street, Walgett, about 3.30am (Friday 10 April 2020). The group was warned about the Public Health Order and were told to return home immediately. Half an hour later, three members of the group – a 32-year-old woman and two men, aged 32 and 37 – were seen by police again drinking in the street. All three were issued $1000 PINs.

• Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command observed a man seated on a garden bed on Mountain Street, Ultimo, about 4.30pm (Friday 10 April 2020), and spoke with him about the Public Health Order. He told police he was exercising, however, following inquiries no reasonable excuse was identified and he was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• A 24-year-old Kings Langley man has been issued with a $1000 PIN after he ran from police on Springdale Road, Wentworthville, on Thursday (9 April 2020), by officers from Parramatta Highway Patrol.

• Officers from South Sydney Police Area Command spoke to a 30-year-old man at the intersection of Dowling and Lachlan streets, Waterloo, before giving him a move on direction from the area. Later the same day, the man was still at the intersection and subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 7am (Friday 10 April 2020), police stopped a vehicle – towing a trailer with a trail bike – and spoke to the driver, a 27-year-old Victorian man. He told police he had been visiting friends in Wollongong and was driving to Deniliquin to visit family. The man was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

• About 12.30am (Thursday 9 April 2020), police stopped a vehicle in Kurnell and spoke to the driver, a 29-year-old man from Eastwood. He provided no reasonable excuse for being in the area and was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN.

• Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District stopped an 18-year-old man who was walking with two others and holding a case of beer on Cambridge Street, South Grafton, yesterday (Friday 10 April 2020). Police will allege the man had been given a previous warning about the Public Health Act and failed to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 11.40am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers from Sydney City Police Area Command received information that a man was holding a pair of scissors on the platform at Wolli Creek Railway Station. Following inquiries, officers located the 37-year-old man at Central Railway Station, and he failed to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from his home. He was issued a $1000 PIN.

• About 2.30am (Thursday 9 April 2020), officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area command were conducting a proactive patrol in Caringbah when they observed an 82-year-old man driving erratically on the Kingsway. Police stopped the man and will allege he stated he had conducted work the night before, however, he was unable to supply police with a reasonable excuse to why he was in the area several hours later. The man was issued with a $1000 PIN.

• About 1pm (Thursday 2 April 2020), officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were called to a home on Halls Road, Coffs Harbour, following reports of multiple people at the location who do no reside there. Whilst police were there a man, who was issued a ministerial direction the day before, arrived at the location with no reasonable excuse to be there. He was subsequently issued a $1000 PIN and given a move on direction.

• About 8.30am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers from Riverina Highway Patrol were performing proactive duties on the Sturt Highway, Forest Hill. A check on the vehicle showed it was registered to an address in Smithfield. Following inquires the man claimed he was visiting a friend in Wagga and was issued a $1000 PIN for non-essential travel.

Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 38 Court Attendance Notices, and 295 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act.

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.