Gravesend man who was first in Kent charged with breaking coronavirus rules is convicted
06:00, 10 September 2020
updated: 07:56, 10 September 2020
The first person in Kent to be charged with breaking coronavirus lockdown rules has been convicted and fined hundreds of pounds.
Jagjit Sidhu, of Harmer Street, Gravesend , was told to pay £382 after reluctantly pleading guilty at Maidstone Magistrates' Court.
He was arrested on Tuesday, April 21, near a pharmacy in Milton Road, Gravesend , accused of not following government advice to restrict movement due to the Covid-19 outbreak, as well as failing to return home when asked.
At the time, government restrictions meant people were only allowed out for essential travel and exercise. On the day Sidhu was arrested, 823 deaths were recorded.
He was also charged with being drunk and disorderly, but this was dismissed as part of an arrangement to change his plea to both coronavirus charges.
The 58-year-old previously appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court in June where he denied all charges.
He claimed he was being "targeted" by two police officers and had done nothing wrong as he was "going to the chemist after booking a visiting slot".
He arrived at court on Tuesday an hour late. During his absence, prosecutor Piers Restell told the court how the Gravesend man was given four warnings by police for lockdown breaches in the week before his arrest, where he was spotted drinking alcohol in Parrock Street and by the clock tower.
He added how on one occasion – while a police officer was giving advice to a family about lockdown rules – Sidhu began to shout at him, calling him racist and telling the family "not to listen to him".
When Sidhu eventually arrived at court at 11am, and after a discussion with his solicitor, Paul Ruse, he decided to change his plea.
Despite pleading guilty, Sidhu repeatedly shouted out, blaming police and telling the court "they're the ones who should be on trial".
At one point, he said to the magistrates: "Come to Gravesend with me for the day and you'll see people like me, and I do nothing wrong."
Before being handed his fines, the court heard how Sidhu still had to pay more than £800 in fines for previous offences, which he was doing so at £20 a week.
He was then told to pay £100 for each offence as well as contributing £150 to legal costs of preparing the proposed trial and a £32 victim surcharge.
A criminal behaviour order application was made against Sidhu in relation to a separate incident.
However, magistrates decided to adjourn this until September 17, so Sidhu could seek proper legal representation.
Speaking at the time of Sidhu's arrest and charge, Chief Inspector Neil Loudon said: "This is the first charge which has been issued by the force in connection with breaching Covid-19 legislation.
"Our officers work hard to engage those going against the instructions, explaining why they are necessary and encouraging them to comply, with enforcement being used only as a last resort.
"This is a challenging time for police officers as it is for everyone, and we urge people to continue to follow the guidance issued by government."
