Watford man shocked after Covid fine increased in 'secret'

Derek Lewis, from Watford, is among some people who says they were given harsher penalties for breaching Covid rules after not being told they were meant to attend court.

The 54-year-old is in a listing stating he was meant to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 24 last year for “failing to wear a covering” on public transport.

It says on March 23, Lewis was on the 182 bus in Harrow without a face covering and was later charged a total of £1,310 for not paying a fixed penalty notice.

But Lewis spoke to the Daily Mail as part of a piece that looked into Covid fines and alleged “secret courts”.

He believes if he went to court he could have argued his case. Credit: PA

He told the paper he wore a mask for half the journey, but then lowered it to his neck due to his breathing problem and was given a £200 penalty notice.

While he did not pay it, Lewis claims he was never told later to come to court and instead was suddenly hit with the surged fine that he cannot afford.

The Mail says it has spoken to various individuals who were facing similar fines and did not get the chance to attend court.

More than 1,127 fixed penalty notices were issued by Hertfordshire Constabulary

Lewis said he believes if he appeared in court, he could have argued his case about his sinus issues and cleared the issue.

Figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council shows that more than 1,127 fixed penalty notices were issued by Hertfordshire Constabulary between March 27 in 2020 and December 19 last year.

Of the FPNs issued across England and Wales so far, 377 were for holding a gathering of more than 30 people – with six in Hertfordshire.

An NPCC spokesman said all forces have first sought to engage and explain Covid laws to people, and only enforce them when necessary.