Breakdown of latest Public Health Act charges and Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs)

Police have charged five people under the Public Health Act 2010 (NSW) and issued 111 COVID-19 related Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) since the last update. Since 17 March 2020, police have issued 53 Court Attendance Notices, and 406 PINs for breaches of the Public Health Act. Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) issued on the South Coast: At 1.45pm on Thursday 9 April 2020, officers attached to South Coast Police District were patrolling Surf Beach, when they stopped a man and woman on Cook Street. Police were not provided a reasonable reason for them to be out of the home and searched them, with police allegedly locating cannabis on the 38-year-old woman. She was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice to appear at Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday 13 July 2020. Both the woman and man, aged 42, had been warned on Thursday 2 April 2020 by Batemans Bay police in relation to the Public Health Act. They were issued PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7 - COVID 19. About 10pm (Saturday 11 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District stopped to assist a man who was standing on the roadway on the Princes Highway near Shore Street, Moruya. When asked if he was okay, the 40-year-old man began acting aggressively toward the officers and swearing at police before a wrestle ensued. The man was arrested a short time later and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station. He was issued with a $1000 PIN before being charged with resist officer in execution of duty and use offensive language in/near public place/school. He is due to appear at Batemans Bay Local Court on Friday 26 June 2020. Just after 5pm (Saturday 11 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District stopped a vehicle on Monaro Street, Merimbula, and spoke with the 22-year-old male driver. The man told police he had been helping a friend cut firewood – which was confirmed – except it had been delivered to Bega North. The man then provided several other versions, none of which were deemed as reasonable under the Public Health Act. He was issued with a $1000 PIN and directed to return to his Bega home. About 3.30am (Friday 10 April 2020), officers from South Coast Police District were called to a hotel on Kinghorne Street, Nowra, following reports of a disturbance between a group of people, which had spilled out into the car park. On arrival, police spoke with four men – aged 20, 21, and two aged 23, and a 21-year-old woman – who denied there had been a fight. Checks revealed one of the men had booked the room under the guise of ‘work’ but had invited the other four people over to drink. All five people were issued $1000 PINs. A 16-year-old boy from Tomerong, a 17-year-old boy from Nowra, a 25-year-old man from South Nowra, a 17-year-old boy from Cambewarra, an 18-year-old man from Sanctuary Point, has been issued with a $1000 PIN after being pulled over on the Princes Highway at Falls Creek, just after 1am yesterday (Saturday 11 April 2020) by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command. Police allege all five had disregarded the Ministerial Direction by going camping together.

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. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.