A North East gym owner is facing a massive legal bill after being found guilty of four charges around breaching Covid rules.
District Judge Marie Mallon said there was an 'abundance' of evidence that Eddy Ellwood's gym premises in Hartlepool were being used as a gym and that it was a 'preposterous' submission that it was being used for holding a peaceful protest, TeesideLive reported. Ellwood, who also owns a gym in Horden in County Durham, was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs amounting to £25,507, as well as a victim surcharge of £181.
The 58-year-old, who after the case said he intends to appeal, was given 12 months to pay the money. There were jeers from the public gallery from Ellwood's supporters, who have accompanied him throughout the trial.
