Carload of four caught going to get early morning McDonald's breakfast are fined £800 for breaching Covid rules

Four people who were caught travelling in the same car on their way to get a McDonald's breakfast were fined £800 for breaching coronavirus laws.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Police pulled over the vehicle at around 5am on Wednesday morning in Northampton.

The two men and two women claimed they were on their way to get a McDonald's breakfast - even though the fast food restaurant didn't open for another two hours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Enquiries confirmed the four were not from the same household, so the journey breached lockdown rules which officially came into force at midnight.

Police pulled over the vehicle at around 5am on Wednesday morningPolice pulled over the vehicle at around 5am on Wednesday morning
Police pulled over the vehicle at around 5am on Wednesday morning

As a result, their early-morning takeaway turned out way more expensive than planned when officers slapped them each with £200 fines.

Northampton Response Team wrote on Twitter: “At 5am we stopped a car with 4 ppl in.. Just going to McDonald's.

“Not all of them live in the same household, 4x COVID tickets issued.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Pls make sure you are up to date with the most recent http://Gov.uk guidance to make sure you don't end up with a ticket!”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered the country to only leave home only when absolutely in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Valid reasons include shopping, going to work, medical reasons and exercise once a day.

In addition, people are only allowed to meet up with one other person from outside their own household, and only when outdoors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Car sharing is allowed but only people from a single household or support bubble can travel together in a vehicle.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman added: "Please make sure you are up to date with the most recent gov.uk guidance so you don't end up with a ticket.

"The Government has been very clear about the necessity for everyone to stick to the rules about when you can go out and what you can do.

“The vast majority of people across Northamptonshire continue to act responsibly however, a small minority continue to spoil it for everyone else.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If you are the kind of person who decides to put others at risk with irresponsible behaviour, you can expect us to take the appropriate action.

“We need everyone to play their part and protect the NHS — this is more important now than ever before, due to the alarming rise in infections."

Anyone aged 18 or over can be fined £200 for a first offence — lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days — £400 for a second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.