TWO men who had appealed their conviction of breaching Covid regulations have lost their cases and must now pay more than £2,000 each.

George James Swain, 23, of Quay Street, has been fined £1,760, with costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £176.

His fees must be paid by April 27.

He was found guilty of participating in a gathering of two or more people in an outdoor place in a Tier 4 area on January 24, 2021, while the country was in strict lockdown.

Namely, he was in Orchard Street, Newport, without reasonable excuse.

He had applied to have his case reopened but his case was proved at Aldershot Magistrates' Court on March 30.

Isle of Wight man was out on street drinking cider during covid lockdown

The police officer said on the day in question he had received a report of a group of males with a younger female drinking alcohol and acting in an anti-social manner.

Swain was among the group, who were not wearing face masks and drinking from bottles of cider, shouting and swearing.

The officer said they were "laughing and joking as they proceeded in complete disregard for the Covid-19 restrictions in place."

Swain, carrying a three-litre bottle of cider, shouted obscenities and made hand gestures towards the officer, and stepped out in front of the police vehicle, causing the officer to brake hard to avoid hitting him.

Second Isle of Wight man found guilty of breaching Covid regulations

Jordan Michael Gammon, 24, of George Street, Ryde, was given the same sentence and must also pay by April 27.

He was found guilty of participating in a gathering at a private dwelling on Lake Green Road, Lake, on February 14, 2021, during lockdown.

Other people were present, including a mother with a young baby, who lived at the address. Police knew no-one else lived there, and shouldn't have been there. 

Gammon had also applied to have his case reopened but his case was proved in his absence.