A teenager has been fined after attending a house party in Paisley when lockdown restrictions were in place.
David Andrews, 19 and more than 20 others had a party in a property in the town’s Barterholm Road on December 19, 2020.
On the same day, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions around the festive period.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard: “Around 5.20am on Saturday, December 19, police were assisting local officers at a large-scale gathering breaching Covid-19 guidelines at a property with excess of 20 persons within.
“Shortly after police arrival, details of the accused were taken, however the accused told officers his name was Dean Leveridge and that his address was 145 Foresthall Crescent in Glasgow but he had no ID to prove this.
“Police conducted enquiries and became suspicious of the accused’s details when they noted the address didn’t exist.
“Officers found the correct details and on December 24, attended at the accused’s home address where they were allowed entry by his mother.
“She was shown a picture of the accused and details were confirmed.”
Andrews admitted breaching Covid-19 guidelines on December 19, 2020 by attending a large gathering. He also admitted he attempted to pervert the course of justice by providing incorrect details to police officers on the same date.
His defence agent explained the property had been hired by a friend of Andrews and he was invited to the party.
He told: “Police attended and more or less arrested everyone. Everyone was given a Fixed Penalty Notice for breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
“He was 18 and drunk at the time.
“There was frustration among youngsters during the lockdown and he was persuaded to go along to this party.”
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Sheriff Eoin McGinty said: “Police had better things to do in December 2020 than stand and argue with you.
“Had you kept your mouth closed you would have got a Fixed Penalty Notice, but you didn’t and now you are standing here with a conviction.”
Sheriff McGinty fined Andrews, of Foresthall Crescent in Glasgow, £320 and ordered this to be paid within 28 days.
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