Sydney tree loppers sentenced after breaching Covid public health order to door knock in Hunter

Three Sydney arborists came to the Hunter to work during the height of the Covid outbreak. They were fined and sent on their way, only to come back a week later. They have now learned their fate in court.

Two Sydney tree loppers have been given more hefty fines after they returned to door knock in the Hunter during lockdown, after being previously fined a week earlier and told by police to go home because they were breaching the Covid public health order.

Michael Moresi, 37, and Velly Mapesone, 25, were part of a group of arborists that were going door-to-door in Cardiff in September, at the height of the Covid lockdowns, before they were intercepted by officers.

The court heard both men - who came from Leumeah and Whalan which were Sydney suburbs of concern - received a penalty notice of $1100 for a breach of the public health act when they travelled to the Hunter for work.

Velly MAPESONE leaving Toronto Local Court after being sentenced for breaching Covid public health orders by working in the Hunter. Picture: Amy Ziniak

The pair went back to Sydney where they made applications for permits to work, despite not being authorised workers, and again returned to the Hunter a week later on September 9.

Police allege the men were operating under a different business name and had removed all company identification from their vehicles when they returned to the region that week.

“They go back home, make false documents, then return here to make money, into an area they are not allowed to come to,” Magistrate Peter Barnett said.

“Police had previously pulled them up and told them they couldn’t be there.

“They’re putting their needs, or their desire to work and earn money, over and above the safety of the rest of the community, in circumstances where government rules are for the purpose of protecting the greater community from the virus.”

Michael Moresi (right), Velly Mapesone (middle) and Muagututia Pesa (left), with their solicitor outside Toronto Local Court. Picture: Amy Ziniak

Moresi and Mapesone both pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the Covid Public Health Regulation Act and not ensuring true and accurate information was provided to Service NSW.

Both men appeared at Toronto Local Court on Tuesday, where Moresi was convicted and fined $2000 for each charge and Mapesone was sentenced without conviction but copped two fines of $1750 each.

A third man from Colyton, who was also fined $1100 before returning to the Hunter for work with Moresi and Mapesone, also fronted Toronto Court.

Muagututia Pesa, 57, was sentenced later in the day after needing an interpreter during proceedings and also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the Covid Public Health Regulation Act and not ensuring true and accurate information was provided to Service NSW.

He escaped conviction but was sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order, to be on good behaviour.

Another man who was with the group at the time, a 33-year-old from Ropes Crossing, was also fined $6000 for breaching the public health order and providing inaccurate information in his essential worker application.