RULE-BREAKERS who flouted the coronavirus regulations during lockdown were hit with fines totalling thousands of pounds across a single day in court.

From students attending parties to landlords keeping their pubs open, dozens of people were hit with fines for breaching the law around the Covid-19 lockdown late last year.

Across a single day at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, 30 people from the north and mid Essex areas were convicted of breaches.

None were required to attend court, with all sentenced in their absence and with many cases attracting fines of more than £600.

At the time of the offences, Essex was in the Tier 2 level of restrictions which prohibited mixing with other households indoors and imposed a limit of six outdoors.

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Among the offenders was Martin Marshall, 56, of Church Street, Coggeshall, who was hit with a £1,100 fine for keeping his pub, the Woolpack Inn, open after 10pm.

He was also ordered to pay a £110 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

A number of breaches were recorded against students at the University of Essex.

In one case, Andrea Papadopoulou, 18, of Capon Road, Colchester, was hit with a £66 fine after he was caught amongst a group of more than six people.

The court heard university security staff approached the group of 12 and gave them a clear warning to disperse.

The guard then approached two police officers who were on campus and informed them of the breach The officers approached the group and several dispersed, but Papadopoulou and seven others remained.

When asked to move on, members of the group argued with the officers and made no attempt to move on and so were issued with fixed penalty notices.

Victoria Atrie, 20, of Hamlet Drive, Colchester, was fined £660 after she was found inside a property in Hereford Road with two or more people.

The court heard Atrie was offered transport by officers but she declined as she said she would get a taxi.

A taxi was booked and the officers left, but they saw the taxi arrive and leave without passengers.

The taxi driver confirmed the caller had cancelled the fare.