Heywood man fined for hosting anti-lockdown gatherings

A local Heywood man who protested COVID-19 restrictions by hosting anti-lockdown gatherings in Queen’s Park has been fined

Following a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates on 29th April 2022, Daniel Carr of Lennox Walk, Heywood, was found guilty on two counts of breaching covid regulations.

Hosting anti-lockdown gatherings in Queen’s Park, Heywood, on 20th and 27th February 2021, Carr broke the government-imposed lockdown measures of illegally organising or attending gatherings with anyone not within your immediate household or support bubble.

As a result of such, Carr has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £4,160.

Prior to the events he hosted, Rochdale Borough Council’s public protection team became aware of the proposed plans and the masses of people he intended to invite to the planned gatherings- hosted within Queen’s Park.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and the council provided warning that his actions would break the law and pose as a serious and imminent threat to public health if events were to occur.

Despite being served with a direction to cease the events from happening and continued warnings, Mr Carr actively encouraged attendees through a series of social media posts, and was eventually arrested.

Mark Widdup, director of neighbourhoods for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The actions of Mr Carr were not only a breach of the national regulations that were in place at the time, they were also an affront to the majority of people who made great personal sacrifices in order to help protect others from a virus that has claimed the lives of hundreds of people in our borough.

"Data showed that transmission in the borough of Rochdale between households was a key driver for the increase in our infection rates and at the time Rochdale along with six other Greater Manchester local authority districts had infection rates higher than the national average.

"Although the risks of transmission were generally considered to be lower outdoors compared to indoors, there were still significant risks of transmission with people congregating in large numbers and being closer than two metres from each other. Mr Carr’s actions demonstrated a complete disregard for the legislation and his selfish actions put others at risk.”

The breakdown of the fines and costs include £1000 for each offence, £1,960 court costs and a £200 victim surcharge.