Seven women have been fined after enjoying a night out in the back of a stretched limousine - breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.
The women, all from different households, were stopped by West Midlands Police officers while in the limo travelling from Bilston to Sedgley on Saturday night.
Police told Birmingham Live they were "astonished" when they stopped the limo and saw who was inside.
The seven women, in their 20s, 30s and 40s, allegedly claimed they lived in the same household.
But when the women left the vehicle in Sedgley, police discovered this was not the case.
They were each fined £200.
Meeting friends within a limousine is not covered by the exceptions to the stay-at-home rule.
Bilston Police Tweeted: “Our team were astonished to stop a Limo in Bilston last night with 7 females on board all from different households, completely in breach of coronavirus regulations set by Parliament.
"All were fined £200.”
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “Seven woman have been issued with Fixed Penalty Notices after travelling together in a stretched limousine from Bilston to Sedgley in breach of Covid restrictions.
“The vehicle was initially stopped in Bilston, where all seven, aged in their 20s, 30s and 40s, alleged they lived in the same household.
“On alighting the vehicle in Sedgley it became clear to officers this was not the case and the fines were issued."
During the second nationwide lockdown, people in England are required to stay at home unless they are out for a permitted purpose.
Reasons for leaving the home in the second lockdown, which is due to continue to December 2, include work, if you cannot work from home, and volunteering.
Or essential activities such as shopping for food or medicine and collecting food or drink ordered through click-and-collect or a takeaway.
People are also allowed to leave the home to withdraw or deposit money from a bank or post office and to access ‘critical services’.
While children and young adults are also allowed to attend educational establishments.
People are allowed out to exercise without restriction but individuals can only meet one other person outside of their household, or support bubble and must maintain social-distancing.
