A New South Wales man who flew into Tasmania then allegedly refused to leave and smashed up his hotel quarantine room has been sent packing by police.
Benjamin Peter Suthers Barnes appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with four counts of fail to comply with the lawful direction of an emergency worker and one count of destroy property.
Court documents allege that between November 26 and 29, while undertaking mandatory hotel quarantine at the Travelodge hotel in Hobart, Mr Barnes destroyed $5,000 worth of property in his room.
He allegedly damaged a glass wardrobe door, plaster walls, a power point, a window frame and an opening mechanism.
The documents further allege that on November 27 the 42-year-old from Broken Head was told he would need to leave Tasmania after receiving a negative COVID test, but he refused.
The specific reason for him being directed to leave by authorities was not revealed in court.
It is also alleged that on two occasions during his hotel quarantine, Mr Barnes left his room without permission and headed down to the hotel foyer without a mask on.
He is also accused of opening his quarantine door on 12 separate occasions without wearing a face mask.
Appearing via video link, Mr Barnes did not enter a plea, but was granted bail.
He will be escorted by police to the airport and placed on a flight tonight.
His case will return to court in January.
