Yahoo Movies Coronavirus: Businessman who landed private jet on Isle of Man during lockdown jailed after lying about identity
A British businessman has been jailed for giving false details to officials after landing on the Isle of Man via private jet.
Richard Malcolm Powell, 59, gave officials a fake name as well as an incorrect date of birth, address and telephone number when he landed on the island in March, a court heard.
Under emergency laws introduced to limit the spread of coronavirus, new arrivals to the Isle of Man were required to provide their personal details and self-isolate for 14 days.
Douglas Courthouse heard that Powell arrived via private jet on 20 March but gave his name to authorities as Richard Howell instead.
After concerns were raised by airport officials, the information was handed to police and he was arrested six days later at a holiday cottage in the village of Union Mills.
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Appearing in court last week via videolink, he was jailed for a total of 10 weeks and fined more than £2,500 for breaching the emergency laws as well as several previous offences.
Handed him the sentence, deputy high bailiff Chris Arrowsmith said Powell had been trying to protect the unnamed pilot of the jet and to avoid detection by the authorities.
The businessman’s barrister Paul Rodgers said Powell had made a “momentarily bad decision”.
He said his client had made a significant contribution to the island for a number of years, paying into the top tax bracket and running a music festival which raises money for charities on the Isle of Man.
