Parents fined £10,000 for christening party with 50 guests
A baby’s parents have been fined £10,000 for hosting 50 guests at their house for a christening party.
They told police they didn’t believe in the virus after they were confronted at the property in Wolverhampton on Saturday night.
Guests had travelled from as far as London for the pre-planned party – which included hired marquees, DJ decks and live musicians.
Police body-cam footage shows the dad complaining about spending money on the party, asking police to ‘give them an hour’ and that ‘he didn’t believe in the virus.’
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He can be seen telling officers upon their arrival at the house in Blakenhall: ‘I’m christening my small baby, we’re just having a bit of a party.’
He then admits only four people live a the property after being told by a female police officer: ‘No parties are allowed.’
The organiser claimed there were 20 guests – but officers who broke up the party believe up to 50 people were present.
The officer says to the dad: ‘They need to leave. You are breaching Covid’ before he moans: ‘I’ve spent too much money on this party. Give me an hour.’
Another cops tells him: ‘We can’t. We are in a pandemic. We hate doing it. We don’t want to do it.
‘It is hard on everyone. We understand that. But we have to try and protect people. One person in here has the virus – 20 people have it.’
The dad then replies: ‘I know, but I don’t believe in this virus because it’s no harm.’
The officer says: ‘It’s science, there’s people on ventilators who can’t breathe.’
The footage then shows huge marquees erected in the back garden with buffet food and drinks laid out for guests.
The father can be heard saying to officers: ‘You see how much money I’ve spent now.’
West Midlands Police issued the household with a £10,000 fine for beaching Covid rules – which is the first time the force has done so at a residential property.
Superintendent Simon Inglis, from Wolverhampton Police, said: ‘This was a reckless breach of Covid rules at a time when the deadly virus is spreading and harming our communities.
‘It was clearly pre-planned and bringing together this many people at a residential property is not only illegal, but increases the risk of any infections being passed on.
‘We’re fully aware this is a really difficult time for people, but we won’t be able to control this disease and return to a sense of normality if we allow such events.
‘This is not about stopping people’s fun and celebrations, but it is about saving lives from this awful virus.
‘The vast majority are following the guidelines and having to make personal sacrifices.
‘There are people unable to attend funerals and say goodbye to loved ones while abiding by the restrictions.
‘So we must make a stand when we do come across blatant, and unnecessary, breaches such as pre-planned large parties. It is unacceptable and we will take action.’
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