LAST week, we reported that the owner of a gym in Harlow had been fined £1,000 for breaching coronavirus legislation last year (Nov).

Essex Police have now released the body cam footage of the arrest as well as a detailed statement from their assistant chief constable.

The Ripped Gym in Wych Elm, Harlow had put out social media posts saying it planned to remain open despite the second national lockdown last autumn.

Harlow Council had spoken to staff before the restrictions came into force on 5 November last year and explained they would not be able to open.

But when council staff and police officers visited the gym in Wych Elm on 5 November, there were customers inside using the equipment.

A woman later identified as owner Michelle Meade-Wyatt handed an officer a notice claiming the gym was operating under common law.

She was asked if she was the owner or could identify who the owner was so that officers could speak to them, but she refused to answer any questions.

When she was identified as being the gym owner, officers explained she was contravening coronavirus legislation and would be issued a fixed penalty notice.

They asked for her details a number of times in order to issue the fine, but she refused, and said she would not consent to the fine or answer any questions.

At this point, after around 40 minutes of trying to engage with her, officers felt they had no choice but to arrest her for breaching the regulations.

Meade-Wyatt appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 7 December last year where she denied failing to cease carrying on a business that was restricted under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.She appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 23 November where she admitted the charge.Meade-Wyatt, of Pygons Hill Lane, Liverpool, was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,205.

Speaking after the hearing, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan, said: “We have always said first and foremost we would speak to people, explain the regulations and encourage them to do the right thing.

“But we will continue to respond to clear and blatant breaches and work with our partners to resolve them.

“This case is a very clear example of a blatant breach of the legislation, which not only put people’s health at risk, but at a time when infection rates were rising.

“Harlow Council staff and our officers had made extensive attempts to engage with the gym owner to resolve this situation.“

“Enforcement action could have been avoided entirely but unfortunately we were given no choice but to take the matter to court.“

“We know the restrictions have had a major impact on business owners, but the vast majority made sacrifices to keep their customers safe and to comply with the legislation.“

“I want to thank the hundreds of business owners who have done this and have kept themselves and others safe to protect the NHS and save lives.“

“The small minority who did not follow the rules, as in this case, are selfish and not acting fairly towards those people who were doing the right thing.”

“From 4am this morning, Tuesday 30 November, face masks will once again be mandatory in shops and on public transport, unless you are exempt.

“Our approach has been, and will continue to be, to take a common sense approach to policing the Government’s COVID-19 regulations.

“We will engage with residents and visitors to Essex, to explain these regulations and encourage them to do the right thing.If you see or hear of a clear and blatant breach of the regulations, or witness threatening or abusive behaviour towards any of our key workers, please tell us

“.Where clear and blatant breaches are reported and when reasoned conversation is not successful, we will take enforcement action.

“We all have a responsibility to follow the regulations and the guidance in place to protect our NHS and we must all play our part to keep ourselves, families, friends and neighbours safe.

“You can contact us online or use the ‘Live Chat’ button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

Alternatively, you can call 101.Full details of the Government’s COVID-19 regulations can be found on their website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus