Couple says they’ll fight charge of breaking lockdown to exercise in city
A strategic property coach and his healing teacher wife have told a court they will fight their charges of failing to comply with health directives during Queensland‘s “strictest” lockdown.
Police & Courts
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A strategic property coach and his healing-teacher wife have told a court they will fight their charges of failing to comply with health directives during Queensland's “strictest” Covid-19 lockdown.
David John Neradil, 55, and Alfreda Victoria Neradil, 66, told Brisbane Magistrates Court today they would plead not guilty to their charges under the Public Health Act 2005.
Police will allege the couple, from Tamborine Mountain on the Gold Coast, broke the lockdown rule when they travelled into the Brisbane CBD for exercise on August 2.
It is further alleged Ms Neradil refused to return home when she was directed to by police.
South East Queensland was plunged into an eight-day lockdown on July 31 after six local Covid-19 cases were reported, all linked to a 17-year-old Indooroopilly State High School student.
Described by Deputy Premier Steven Miles as the “strictest lockdown yet” those in the 11 local government areas were forbidden to travel more than 10km from their home.
The Neradils took their time getting into the courtroom today after claiming they had exemptions for wearing masks.
Police prosecutor Sgt Wade Domagala told the court Mr Neradil was refusing to produce his exemption certificate until Magistrate Suzette Coates provided evidence of where he was required to do so.
Ms Coates said the Magistrates Court Act allowed magistrates to control the public health and safety of their own court.
“So no, I won’t be marching to Mr Neradil’s drum,” she said.
“... There’s no pleasure in having to deal with people who don’t want to look after other people.”
The court was told the pair hadn’t provided valid documents of proof for an exemption.
They eventually obtained disposable masks from security and entered the courtroom.
Duty Lawyer Axel Beard said Mr and Mrs Neradil were each contesting their charge of failing to comply with the Covid-19 public health direction.
The matter was adjourned to December 1 and their bails were enlarged.
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