Hot tub party host who ‘didn’t believe’ in lockdown rules summoned to court

Police disperse six people from party

Homeowner “continued to be obstructive” when officers tried to explain the law (file image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The host of a hot tub party who claimed he “didn’t believe” in lockdown rules has been summoned to court.

Nottinghamshire Police found five people from different households mixing when they arrived at an address in Poplar Grove, Forest Town, Mansfield, on Saturday.

Such mixing is banned under the second lockdown introduced to combat the second wave of Covid-19.

The force said the homeowner refused when asked to give his details.

When officers tried to explain the law, he allegedly replied "he didn't believe in the Covid-19 legislation" and "continued to be obstructive".

The 32-year-old was reported for a summons to a magistrates' court, while six people at the party were dispersed.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: "I find it pretty astonishing that anyone would think it is OK to behave in this sort of way when there has been clear guidance given around not mixing households.

"We are still very much in a lockdown as a nation and we need to keep abiding by these laws.

"Covid is real and has the potential to kill people and we cannot forget this. Everyone has to do their bit to limit the spread of the virus and keep people safe.

"Our approach has always been to engage, explain and encourage people to act responsibly, but we won't hesitate to use enforcement action where necessary as we continue to do all we can to protect our communities."

In a separate incident, a homeowner was issued a fixed penalty notice after police came across a party attended by 17 people from different households in Layton Avenue, Mansfield, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Latest NHS data showed Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Mansfield's King's Mill hospital, had 92 Covid-positive patients in its beds last week, of whom 12 were on ventilators.