Advertisement

Man handed COVID fine for hiding in car boot 160 miles from home

Watch: Police find sixth man in a car boot amid lockdown trip

Video footage shows the moment police pulled over five friends who made a 160-mile trip despite lockdown rules – only to find a sixth man in the boot.

North Yorkshire Police officers pulled over their car near Northallerton on the night of 15 January when they found the Audi had no MOT or tax.

In the recording, one officer asks if there’s “owt or nowt” in the boot, to which one of the men insists: “Nothing.”

Read more: Dad 'shook baby daughter to death when she wouldn't stop crying'

A sixth man was found on the 160 mile trip, lying down in the boot. (SWNS/North Yorkshire Police)
A sixth man was found on the 160-mile trip, lying down in the boot. (SWNS/North Yorkshire Police)

However, upon opening the boot the bemused officer finds a man lying down.

He tells the sixth man: “Oh hello – jump out my friend.”

It later emerged one of the men was wanted for indecent exposure and had failed to attend court, and he was arrested.

North Yorkshire Police said the friends were 160 miles from home but the group did not explain why.

Read more: Solicitor who stole £136,000 from elderly client with dementia jailed

Officers searched the boot as a precaution. (SWNS/North Yorkshire Police)
Officers searched the boot as a precaution. (SWNS/North Yorkshire Police)

They were given fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus rules, which in England say you must only leave your home for a legitimate reason.

The car was also seized.

A force spokesman said: “Thank you to everyone who continues to stay home, stay local and stay safe.

“And, if your journey is essential, please travel carefully and not in the boot.”

Watch: England’s lockdown rules