A women who broke lockdown in search of "fit fellas" was fined for breaching Covid rules claiming this time she wanted a McDonald's
Louise Whelan was pulled over in West Derby on Novembers 12 last year, 30 minutes from her home in Rankin Street, Poulton, the Liverpool Echo reported.
The 30-year-old was driving a black Mercedes with two male passengers, despite lockdown rules preventing people gathering with people outside their household.
Officers stopped Whelan's car as she was “struggling to stay between the white lines and there was a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the vehicle”, according to court documents.
The officer who approached Whelan's car said there was a "strong smell" and a male passenger admitted he recently smoked cannabis.
When questioned by PC Christopher Jude about the reason for her journey, she said she was going to McDonald’s.
There is a McDonald’s in Wallasey, significantly closer to her home in Poulton than West Derby.
PC Jude’s statement added: “I asked Whelan if she lived with the males who were in her vehicle with her. Whelan replied: ‘No none of us live together’.
“I advised Whelan about the current lockdown and coronavirus restrictions and that people from different households could not meet or associate with each other. Whelan replied: ‘I’m not arsed, issue me a fine’.
“I tried to educate Whelan but she was dismissive of me and stated: ‘Just give me the fine’.”
Whelan did not respond to the summons so no evidence was given on her behalf.’
Six months earlier, Whelan had been stopped after driving to Liverpool on May 4. When questioned by police, she said she had driven to Liverpool because there were loads of “fit fellas” in the city and she was trying to find some.
However, while her previous lockdown breach cost her only £339, this second breach resulted in her being fined £1,760 when it was dealt with by Wirral Magistrates’ Court on May 7.
In a private hearing, magistrate James Long found Whelan guilty of breaching Covid laws by participating in an outdoor gathering of more than two people.
As well as the £1,760 fine, Mr Long ordered Whelan to pay £100 in costs and a surcharge of £176 for victim services, resulting in a total fine of £2,036.
