Man faces £10,000 fine over Nottingham house party 'with 150 guests'

7 December 2020, 14:26

A man is facing a £10,000 fine after allegedly breaching coronavirus regulations after police broke up a party of up to 150 people.

Nottinghamshire Police were alerted to a house party on Lace Street in Nottingham shortly after 12.30am on Monday.

The man, 20, was reported for summons and could be fined the maximum £10,000 after 100-150 people were found inside the property, the force said.

A number of other individuals at the party were also handed £200 fixed penalty notices for breaking rules.

Read more: Nottingham Christmas market shut down after social distancing criticism

Read more: Police step in as huge crowds gather in London and Nottingham

Police said Isaiah Zanamwe, of Spring Vale, Dartford, Kent, was arrested, handed a £200 fine and subsequently charged with obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty.

The 19-year-old will appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court in January.

Inspector Amy English, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The current Tier 3 restrictions for Nottinghamshire are in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and to save lives.

"It is deeply disappointing that so many people decided to disobey the rules on this occasion and increase the risk of transmission of this deadly virus.

"The restrictions are in place for a reason and the only way we are going to stop the virus is if we all stick to the rules.

"The very last thing we want to be doing as police officers is to be punishing people for gathering together and having fun, but there really are no excuses for this kind of behaviour where people are blatantly ignoring rules in such large numbers.

"Most people across the county have been playing their part in limiting the spread of the virus by obeying the law but sadly there are some people who refuse to adhere to our efforts to engage, explain and educate and consequently we will not hesitate to work with our partners to enforce the regulations."

Separately, organisers were forced to shut down Nottingham's Christmas market this year after huge crowds descended on it over the weekend.

Organisers said they were "sorry it has not worked out" after hundreds of people crowded into the attraction in Old Market Square on Saturday, prompting angry social media posts online.