Big fine for lockdown party (80 miles from Downing Street)

The boss of a Northamptonshire pub which hosted a wedding party in May last year has been fined £5,000 after admitting flouting lockdown regulations. Wanda Trela-Pyzalska, director of the Tavern and Restaurant in Kettering, was also ordered to pay £1,050 costs and a £150 victim surcharge by Wellingborourgh magistrates.

This month’s court hearing heard that a council officer had visited the premises accompanied by police on May 15. The police counted 27 people at the party on the first floor, and presented evidence from their body cameras to the court.

David Brackenbury of North Northamptonshire Council said: “We are aware that the hospitality industry has been hit hard by the pandemic and the rules have been difficult, but the legislation in place at the time was clear and there to protect both staff and customers and minimise risk of spreading the virus.”

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