Since the last review period, police have taken legal action against 16 people, including the director of a Pyrmont function venue, for breaches of the Public Health Act.
The charges include:
– About 1am yesterday (Thursday 7 January 2021), officers attached to Police Transport Command (PTC) approached a 47-year-old man allegedly performing a sexual act on a train near Parramatta Railway Station. As police went to arrest the man, one officer was bitten on the arm. Police managed to restrain the man and he was taken to Westmead hospital for assessment. Following his release from hospital, the man was taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with carry out sexual act with another without consent, assault police in execution of duty causing actual bodily harm, resist police and not wear fitted face covering in public transport. The man was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 8 January 2021).
– Officers from South Coast Police District were contacted after a man allegedly assaulted and spat on a security guard at a shopping centre at Nowra about 11am. Police were told the man threatened the guard and told him he had COVID before he was escorted from the centre. The man was arrested about 2.45pm and charged with common assault and not comply noticed direction re spitting/coughing – COVID-19. He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.
– Officers from The Hills Police Area Command were patrolling a shopping centre at Castle Hill about 12.30pm, when they approached a man, who was not wearing a mask as he wandered around the food court. The 39-year-old man refused to speak with police and allegedly pushed past the officers before a struggle ensued. He was subsequently arrested and charged with not wear fitted face covering in retail/business and resist officer in the execution of duty. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 27 January 2021.
– About 2.30pm, officers from Blacktown Police Area Command were called to a shopping centre at Blacktown, following reports a man and a woman had been detained by security for shoplifting. The man allegedly fled prior to police arriving. Police attended and were told the man had fled before arresting the woman, who was in possession of clothing alleged to have been stolen from a store. The man was arrested a short time later at a nearby bus terminal. The 26-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were both charged with goods in custody, stealing, breach of bail and not wear fitted face mask. They were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
– Just after 9.20pm, officers from Mt Druitt responded to reports of a stealing from a store at a Mt Druitt shopping centre. After being given information by security, police approached a man, who was not wearing a face mask, and attempted to speak with him. The man allegedly removed a number of items from his jacket, dumping them on the ground and fled on foot with a bicycle. Officers ran after the man, catching up with him a short time later, and a struggle ensued. It’s alleged the man kicked and punched the officers and when a security guard came to assist, the man allegedly slapped him a number of times. The 48-year-old man was subdued and arrested, before being charged with assault officer in execution of duty, resist officer in execution of duty, larceny, resist person aiding officer, common assault and not wear fitted face covering in retail/business premises. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
Police issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) to nine people and one organisation. Details of the PINS issued include:
– Following an investigation by Sydney City Police regarding alleged breaches of the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020 at a wedding reception held at a licensed venue on Jones Bay Wharf on Sunday 27 December 2020, officers yesterday (Thursday 7 January 2021) issued a 28-year-old woman, who is a director of the venue, a $5000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction Section 7/8/9 of the Public Health Act. It brings the total number of infringements issued over the event to 22.
– About 11am, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling a shopping centre at Maroubra, when they were alerted that a man and a woman were not wearing masks, contrary to Public Health Order. Police spoke with the pair and reminded them of their obligations, however, they refused to comply with directions. They were each issued $200 PINs.
– About 2.10pm, officers from Nepean Police Area Command were patrolling St Marys Railway Station when they stopped a 52-year-old man not wearing a mask. Police spoke to the man and he was issued a $200 PIN.
– Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 32-year-old man for not wearing a mask at Cabramatta Railway Station, about 1.50pm. The man refused to comply with directions and was issued a $200 PIN.
– As part of proactive patrols, officers from Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 39-year-old man, who was not wearing a correctly fitted mask at Bondi Junction Rail Interchange, about 3.30pm. The man refused to comply with orders to fit the mask across his mouth and was subsequently issued a $200 PIN.
– Just before 8.30am, officers from Police Transport Command (PTC) spoke to a 35-year-old man, who was not wearing a face mask and did not have a valid ticket. Checks revealed the man had been warned the day before about not wearing a mask. He was issued a $200 PIN and an infringement for fare evasion.
– About 4.10pm, officers from Inner West Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 22-year-old Maroubra man who was not wearing a face mask at Newtown Railway Station. He was advised of his requirement under the Public Health Order and given a warning. Shortly after, the man made his way to the platform without a face mask. He was approached by police again and issued a $200 PIN.
– Officers from PTC were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station about 3.20pm, when they spoke with a 41-year-old man, who was not wearing a mask. The man told police he didn’t own one and won’t wear one because it’s a joke. He was issued a $200 PIN and moved-on from the area.
– As part of proactive patrols of Katoomba, officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command stopped and spoke to a 42-year-old man outside a home on Whinmoor Street. Checks revealed the man was from Newport – in the north-end of the Northern Beaches and had bail conditions not to be in Katoomba. He was subsequently charged with a breach of bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court today. He was also issued a $1000 PIN.
Police also issued more than 35 warnings across Greater Sydney to people not wearing masks yesterday.
Further, police were on hand at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday to monitor the behaviour of 8692 spectators on the opening day of the third Test between Australia and India. Venue staff and police were required to remind spectators of their obligations in relation to wearing a face mask, however, no infringements for COVID breaches were issued.
There were 11 people ejected by police; four young persons for bringing alcohol into the ground, one issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive language and bring alcohol into the ground; another man was fined for bringing alcohol into the ground, four intoxicated people were given banning orders for 12 months, and one man issued an infringement for failing to quit and re-enter licensed premises.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
