Man responded to self-isolation rules "with grunts and sarcasm"

Thursday 27 August 2020

A 26-year-old has been told he "needs a reality check" by a Magistrate's Court Judge after he breached his mandatory self-isolation just hours after returning to the island.

Mikey Ashworth, 26, got off his flight from Southampton at around 15:30 on 10 August.

He was greeted by Aurigny staff, who photographed his ID and gave him a form, setting out the rules of his isolation.

The member of staff who dealt with him said her instructions were met with grunts and sarcastic comments from the defendant.

Later on that day, at 23:00, Guernsey Police was called to an incident at the Fermain Tavern and, along the way, spotted Ashworth walking along Fort Road. They stopped and spoke to him, but weren't aware that he was meant to be in quarantine, so left him on his walk home and went on their way.

Their conversation was recorded and, when it was realised that the defendant had been ordered by law to self-isolate, customs officers were sent to his home to check in on him.

When they put the allegations to him, Ashworth said he hadn't breached the rules and denied going to the pub, saying he hadn't spoken to any police officers and had remained in his home the whole time.

However, he later admitted to the charge, but claimed he had smoked cannabis and drunk alcohol before getting on his flight and therefore couldn't remember much of that day's events. He was shown a recording of his conversation with police officers along Fort Road and confirmed that it was him in the video.

"My client has no recollection of what happened," Advocate David Domaille said in mitigation. "He's accepting what is stated is true because he can't remember it.

"My client has asked me to apologise to the court for this very grave error in his judgement."

Pictured: The defendant was taken to the police station was his isolation was over for questioning.

Judge Gary Perry gave Ashworth credit for his guilty plea, but noted that he had, at first, tried to deny his actions.

"Your response at the airport says it all," he said. "You're ignorant and irresponsible and it's those like you that will undo all the good work Guernsey has done. You need a reality check. Lives are at risk but people like you don't see it like that."

Ashworth was fined £3,000, which will be deducted monthly from his States benefits.

Pictured top: The defendant was sentenced in the Magistrate's Court.