AN AMERICAN citizen broke Covid laws when she went shopping and for a drive after flying to England.

Rhianna Gibson, 42, of Sutter Creek Drive in Wisconsin, USA, flew to the country on April 17 this year.

She came to Stewkley, a village in Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire.

The 42-year-old was supposed to self-isolate for a number of days, as she came from a non-exempt country.

But she failed to comply, Oxford Magistrates' Court heard on August 27.

Gibson left her property on April 19 - just two days into her isolation period - to go shopping and for a drive.

The court heard the defendant was later reported for the offence, on April 20.

Gibson faced a charge of arriving in England from a non-exempt country or territory and failing to self-isolate.

This is in contrary to regulations 4(2) and 6(1)(b) and (4) of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (England) Regulations 2020. 

She was not present at the trial at Oxford Magistrates' Court on August 27, but was proved guilty by Single Justice Procedure.

The penalty for breaching the previously mentioned regulations is an unlimited fine.

Magistrates in this instance ordered Gibson to pay £2,026 in total.

This includes a fine of £1,760, a surcharge of £176 to fund victim services and costs of £90.

A collection order was made and the full balance must be paid by September 24.