Council leader slams Covid idiots

The leader of East Lindsey District Council has slammed eight people who were fined for breaching Covid regulations as ‘selfish idiots.’
Leader of East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Craig Leyland.Leader of East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Craig Leyland.
Leader of East Lindsey District Council, Councillor Craig Leyland.

Councillor Craig Leyland hit out after the eight were handed fines totalling £1,600 for camping and partying in woodland near Woodhall Spa on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Coun Leyland said the individuals were putting themselves and others at risk by their ‘thoughtless actions.’

The News can reveal officers visited Ostler’s Plantation after complaints from the public.

Ostler’s PlantationOstler’s Plantation
Ostler’s Plantation

Officers handed out five fines on Saturday night and three more when they returned to the plantation on Sunday morning.

It’s understood the eight came from various locations including Horncastle, Woodhall Spa and Lincoln.

The News can also reveal police are investigating another potential lockdown breach in Woodhall Spa last weekend, this time 
involving three people from the Louth area who launched boats on the River Witham.

When told about the Ostler’s Plantation incident by the News, Coun Leyland said: “This is the first I have heard about it and quite honestly I am disappointed and disgusted.

“What an earth were these people thinking of?

“They were putting themselves and others at risk.

“They are selfish idiots.”

Coun Leyland went on to thank the public for reporting the incident and police for taking strong action.

A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “On January 16, we responded to a report that came in at 23.08pm about a possible party.

“Five people were issued with Covid fines.

“On January 17, we responded to a report at 8.21am about people camping at the location. Three people were issued with Covid fines.”

The fixed penalty for a Covid breach is usually £200 for a first offence, reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days.

Repeat offences can carry an ever heavier fine.

Police have also condemned the rule breakers.

PCSO Nigel Wass posted a message on a Next Door site saying the eight ‘thought it was acceptable to breach Covid laws by putting people at risk.’

The fines came just days after PCSO Wass assured town councillors in Horncastle that police would ‘come down hard’ on any blatant rule-breakers.

He confirmed the ‘vast majority’ of people were abiding by the regulations and that patrols had revealed very few issues in the area.

He said: ”We are fielding a lot of questions about what you can and can’t do and I am pleased to say the vast majority are taking the advice we are giving on board.

“It is a very small minority who aren’t and we will come down hard if there are any people breaking the regulations.”

He told councillors that message applied to anyone refusing to wear face masks in shops - without good reason.

Meanwhile, Coun Leyland revealed people camping overnight on the Lincolnshire Coast - in a direct breach of regulations – was another issue. He said people were using camper vans and some were travelling long distances.

He warned police were regularly patrolling coastal car parks and were working with district council officials to identify offenders.

He added: “People know what the rules are. Please, keep to them, stay as close to your home as possible - and stay away from visiting the coast.”

Coun Leyland also said the coast was proving to be a ‘hot-bed’ for ‘Covid conspiracy’ with people posting offensive messages on social media and in graffiti on buildings.