Group of ‘alleged idiots’ arrested, fined after several gatherings at Lightsview home during lockdown

The police commissioner has branded a group of young people “alleged idiots” after they held several gatherings at the same home during lockdown.

A group of “alleged idiots” has been arrested and issued fines after several gatherings were held at the same Adelaide home during lockdown.

Police attended a home on Waterford Circuit at Lightsview, north of the city, following reports of loud music and a gathering of up to 12 people about 11.30pm Sunday night.

Of the 13 people they found at the address, police made five arrests and issued eight fines.

A 24-year-old man who lives at the address was arrested and charged with stating false details and breaching the Emergency Management Act.

He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September.

Two other residents, men aged 27 and 21, were issued with expiation notices for breaches of the Emergency management Act.

A 29-year-old Torrenville woman and 18-year-old Fairview Park woman were arrested and charged with stating false details and breaching the Emergency Management Act, and were also bailed to appear in court in September.

Five people have been arrested and eight fined following an illegal party during lockdown at a Lightsview home. Picture: Emma Brasier

The group of partygoers were described as “alleged idiots” by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Picture: Emma Brasier

A 19-year-old Fairview Park woman and 24-year-old Salisbury North man were also charged with breaching the Emergency management Act, while the man was also charged with hindering police. They were both also bailed.

Another six people, who are aged between 16 and 24 and do not live at the address, were issued with expiation notices and directed to go home.

It followed call-outs to the same property on Saturday and Wednesday of last week, which resulted in two other arrests and a number of expiation notices.

Neighbours to the home said they heard loud music and questioned why people were coming and going during the lockdown period.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, called the partygoers “a bunch of morons.”

“It’s ridiculous, we’re all out here trying to do the right thing and then there’s these people thinking they’re above the law,” they said.

Another resident of the street, Janette, said she could hear the music.

“I’m a fair few houses away and I could hear loud music and thought ‘what’s happening there?’ she said.

“I don’t know how they thought they’d get away with it when everything else is so quiet and all the houses are so close together.”

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens called the group “alleged idiots” and said their actions undermined the efforts of the community.

“It’s incredibly frustrating, and it’s not so much my personal frustration,” he said.

“I think everybody else who is doing the right thing in South Australia should be incredibly disappointed that some people just think these rules don’t apply to them.”

Individuals who breach lockdown can face expiation fines up to $1060 but for those who get arrested for breaching lockdown or restriction rules the punishment could be much more severe – with fines of up to $20,000 and/or two years imprisonment.

Police said they have been conducting compliance checks throughout South Australia’s lockdown, and have focused their attention on the northern suburbs epicentre of the cluster.

“Police wish to reassure the community that patrols have found the overwhelming majority of people are doing the right thing,” they said on Monday.