A Queensland Magistrate has backed former bikie Shane Bowden in court today, calling the Queensland border declaration form "stupid" and "confusing".
Bowden pleaded guilty to providing false information on the form, by declaring he hadn't been positive to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland.
Bowden was diagnosed with COVID-19 when he was hospitalised with a gunshot wound to his leg on August 11.
He was cleared of the virus on August 22, before testing positive again the following day, but deemed non-infectious.
Seven days later on August 31, he applied for a border pass and flew from Melbourne to Brisbane – where he was met by law enforcement and sent to hotel quarantine at Surfers Paradise.
Upon his release he was charged and granted bail.
Bowden's defence argued his client had misread the question on the border form, when ticking the box that declared he hadn't been "clear" of COVID-19 for 14 days.
The question read: "Do you currently have COVID-19, or in the past 14 days have been a cleared case of COVID-19?"
"I can understand how he has been somewhat confused … I find it confusing," Magistrate Joan White told the court.
She muttered "stupid" under her breath as she examined the border form.
Bowden was fined $750 and no conviction was recorded.
You can get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.
Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800512348.
For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.
from 9News https://ift.tt/2GqsBxe
via IFTTT
0 Comments