NSW Police issue new coronavirus fines and notices 25 April

Police have charged three people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 23 COVID-19-related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for offences within the past 24 hours.

Yesterday's charges:

• Just after 2pm (Friday 24 April 2020), a 35-year-old man was assaulted outside a takeaway restaurant on Harris Street, Pyrmont. Officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command attended and as they approached a man on nearby Fig Street, he ran off. Following a short foot pursuit, a 26-year-old man was arrested. He was taken to Day Street Police Station where it was established he had received a warning for breaching COVID-19 restrictions on Wednesday 15 April 2020. He was charged with common assault and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 - COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

• About 4.45pm, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were conducting patrols in Haymarket when they saw a man approach a black Mazda 3 on Thomas Street, and following a short interaction walk away. Police stopped the vehicle as it attempted to leave and spoke to the driver, a 36-year-old man. Following inquires, officers searched the vehicle, allegedly seizing cocaine and cash. The driver was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 - COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

• About 6pm, officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command were patrolling Blacktown CBD when they stopped to speak to a man on Alpha Street. The man told officers he was going to "my mate's party", which is not considered a reasonable excuse for not being home and as such not compliant with orders under the Public Health Act. The 23-year-old had previously breached COVID-19 restrictions on five occasions, three of which he received PINs for. He was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged with not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 - COVID-19. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 25 April 2020).

Yesterday's PINs include:

• About 4.30am, officers attached to Wollongong Police District spoke with a 25-year-old man at Wollongong Train Station, who was unable to provide a reasonable excuse for being away from home. He was given a warning for not complying with COVID-19 restrictions and directed to return home. About 30 minutes later, police found the man walking in the opposite direction to his home and issued him a $1000 PIN.

• About 10.50am, officers attached to Liverpool Police Area Command approached a parked car on Maxwells Avenue, Ashcroft. Police spoke with the three occupants, who were unable to provide a reason for being away from home, including a 49-year-old man who had received a warning for breaching ministerial directions the previous day (Thursday 23 April 2020). He was issued a $1000 PIN, and the group were all directed to return to their homes.

• Police have issued a PIN and given 10 formal warnings for breaching ministerial directions after responding to reports of a mass gathering overnight. About 9pm, officers attached to Riverina Police District attended a property on Boundary Street, Junee and located 15 people consuming alcohol together. Four people were identified as living at the address, while the rest were unable to provide a reason for not being at their own homes. Following inquiries, a 22-year-old man was found to have received a warning on Saturday 4 April 2020 and was issued with a $1000 fine. The rest received warnings, and all were directed to return to their registered addresses.

• A man has been fined after ignoring self-quarantine obligations given to him by his doctor as he awaited COVID-19 test results. Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District attended a home on Fraser Road, Long Jetty on Thursday (23 April 2020), and spoke to 62-year-old man in relation to his requirements to isolate until medically cleared. Following inquiries, police ascertained that the man had visited a supermarket yesterday and he was issued with an infringement notice for not complying with ministerial directions.

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.