Jerseyman fined £6k for self-isolation breaches

Monday 20 July 2020

A Jersey resident, who was visiting Guernsey, breached his 14-day self-isolation requirements in the island just two days before they elapsed.

Gareth Le Monnier, 37, travelled over to Guernsey on board the Channel Chieftain on Friday 3 July.

On Thursday 16 July, the Border Agency conducted a welfare check, however Le Monnier did not come to the door and did not answer his phone.

They called his wife and it turned out that Le Monnier was at an appointment with authorities for an unrelated matter.

Le Monnier had told them that he had already done his self-isolation period, and when asked if he would breach the requirements, he reportedly said "I would never do that". 

However that was proven to be false. 

Witnesses gave evidence that Le Monnier had been to places including Toni & Guy, Creasey's Toy Shop and Waitrose Cafe across Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 July.

Pictured: Information is collected from all passengers arriving into the Bailiwick.

Le Monnier's lawyer handed the Judge Graeme McKerrell a letter from her client, which he did not want read out in open court.

Judge McKerrell dismissed Le Monnier's mitigation, saying he had acted selfishly and put his own needs before others. 

"This was a knowing and deliberate breach. I have read the letter but working out when 14 days expires is not rocket science."

"You have put your needs and the needs of your family before the wider public good, but it is the wider public good that has to prevail."

Self Isolation Breach Prosecution

A £6,000 fine was imposed by the court this morning to someone who breached self-isolation after arriving in Guernsey.

This is not a drill. This is the fight against Coronavirus

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— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) July 20, 2020

Judge McKerrell said the punishment had to be "substantial" in order to act as a deterrent to others.

Saying he felt fine and had no symptoms was no excuse, the Judge said, as it is well-known that people can carry the virus and transmit it to others despite being asymptomatic themselves. 

"You have been selfish across the board," said Judge McKerrell. 

Le Monnier was given a £3,000 fine for the breaches on 15 July and the same amount on 16 July, totalling £6,000.

The Court is able to dish out a fine of up to £10,000 for a self-isolation breach, following a change in the law last month. 

Last month, a Guernsey resident was fined £6,000 for breaches after returning to the island.