A MAN from the district has been fined for breaching Covid-19 laws at the start of the pandemic.

Hamza Mustafa, 24, of The Crescent in Ilkley, pleaded guilty to leaving or being outside of the place he was living, without reasonable excuse, during the coronavirus emergency period.

He was sentenced on May 24 at Kirklees Magistrates' Court.

Mustafa left, or was outside All Saints Court, in Ilkley, where he was living, on April 11.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: All Saints Court, in Ilkley. Picture: Google Street ViewAll Saints Court, in Ilkley. Picture: Google Street View

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown on March 23, which ordered people to "stay at home".

This was enshrined into law two days later when the Coronavirus Act 2020 got Royal Assent, with the measures coming into force on March 26. 

All "non-essential" high street businesses were closed and people were only allowed to leave for essential purposes only, such as buying food or for medical reasons. 

The lockdown was extended for "at least" three weeks on April 16.

Mustafa was ordered to pay £272 for the offence, in total.

This includes a £120 fine, a surcharge of £32 to fund victim services and costs of £120.

It will be paid in monthly instalments of £20 starting from June 21.

Mustafa's guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing.