A man slapped with a £2,000 fine after breaking lockdown restrictions to watch UFC on TV with his pals is calling for all Covid breach penalties to be repaid.
Furious Regan Banks, 24, has hit out following revelations about multiple parties in Downing Street at which lockdown restrictions are alleged to have been flouted in 2020.
It was on January 24 2021 that nuclear design engineer Regan, from Leigh, was one of eight mates who visited a flat above the Tails and Ales pub on Lee Lane in Horwich, Bolton.
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The door to the upstairs apartment was unlocked and as they enjoyed the UFC action a team of six police officers walked in to break up the party.
"They weren't aggressive at all," said Regan. "I didn't know the police can just walk into a property. I knew that if the door is locked, they can't but that was wasn't the case.
"One of them was trying to wind us up, but after he left the room, the others said they didn't think it was fair, but it's what they had to do."
Initially, Regan, who lives with his parents, was fined £100. However, when he called the ACRO Criminal Records Office, he was told it had doubled, but that he could get it reduced if he went to court.
Regan sent the letter agreeing to go to court to ACRO, but should've sent it to the court, so the fine went up to £400.
He explained: "I didn't hear from them for a while and then I was informed it had gone up to £2,050."
The money has been deducted from his wages of just below £2,000 a month at a rate of £450 a month directly from his employer.
He says he's been told he can only appeal in court against the fine once he's paid the full amount off.
"Now that we know what's been going on at Downing Street, this is ridiculous," said Regan. "I accepted that I had to pay the fine, but I've been punished unfairly while Boris Johnson seems to be getting away with it. It's totally unfair.
"I think they should fine Boris 20 per cent of his wage for four months like they have in my case, or all lockdown penalties should be repaid."
Regan said he and his pals were at a low ebb a year ago when they decided to meet up.
"I think the whole lockdown thing has been blown up more than has been necessary," he said. "I understand why it was necessary, but now I think people should just get on with their lives.
"There are people who haven't seen their families for more than two years. It's fair for them to be thinking more about their family and their mental health than the virus."
