Covid: Student fined for incident at party which broke rules

Callum Young pushed past an officer and attempted to speak to his friend who was being escorted out of the Purbeck House halls of residence in handcuffs.

The 18-year-old economics student was grabbed by an officer and he became verbally abusive while he was being detained.

During interview he told police he thought what they had done “was a joke” and said he was “thrown on the floor for no reason”.

Prosecuting, Daniel Marsh told a hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court on February 11 that police had been called to Purbeck House in Oxford Road due to a party taking place in the student accommodation block.

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“Security had alerted police,” said Mr Marsh. “They had previously dispersed the party.

“At 12.45am on October 18 staff had noticed that the party had continued on the seventh floor.”

Mr Marsh said officers attended and several members of the gathering were obstructive.

“One male was escorted out in handcuffs,” the prosecutor said. “Mr Young pushed past one of the officers and shorted at the male. An officer grabbed his arm.”

• Read more: 19 people handed Covid breach fines for gathering where one person was wearing a party hat

Young said “why are you grabbing my arm, what did I do wrong” before he was detained on the ground, the court heard.

The first-year student, who lives in another halls of residence in Oxford Road and is from west London, admitted a single charge of wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.

Mitigating, Terrence Scanlan told the court the pandemic had led to “extremely difficult circumstances for students”.

Mr Scanlan said on the night of the party students were “letting off a bit of steam”, but he accepted it was “clearly a breach” of the Covid regulations at the time.

• Read more: Three people fined for socialising at North Dorset address in Covid breach

Young, who was intoxicated during the incident, regretted his involvement and reacted when he saw a friend being arrested, the barrister said.

“He can see now from the perspective that he has now that his behaviour and actions were wrong,” said Mr Scanlan.

The court heard Young was “remorseful” and he had “learnt a lesson”.

Magistrates fined Young £80 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £34 surcharge.

• Read more: One arrested and 12 reported for breaching Covid rules

Dorset Police reported 11 men, aged between 18 and 21, and one 18-year-old woman for breaches of Covid-19 regulations as a result of the party.

The Daily Echo requested a custody image of Young but this was refused by Dorset Police.