Covid-19: Harlow gym owner fined for breaking lockdown rules

The owner of The Ripped Gym in Harlow was fined for breaching covid restrictions

A gym owner has been fined for keeping her business open against government rules during lockdown.

Michelle Meade-Wyatt, 46, from Lydiate, Merseyside, admitted keeping The Ripped Gym in Wych Elm, Harlow, open in November last year.

She was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

A charge of causing criminal damage was dismissed and another of failing to comply with a reasonable requirement direction was withdrawn.

Ten fixed penalty notice tickets were given to people in the gym in November 2020 and Harlow Council had issued a prohibition order requiring it to close.

Essex was in England tier two restrictions during that time, which meant gyms were banned from operating.