Gold Coast couple Hana Al-Ashy and Mahmoud El-Halwani face court after arguing with border officials while flying in from Victoria

A Gold Coast couple who tried to fly into the city from Victoria have spent the weekend in the Southport Watchhouse after arguing with border officials.

A GOLD Coast couple who tried to fly into the city from Victoria have spent the weekend in the Southport Watchhouse after arguing with border officials.

Hana Al-Ashy, 21, and partner Mahmoud El-Halwani both claim they were willing to fly back but were worried about the cost.

Both were confused about the border rules and which pass they needed.

Al-Ashy and El-Halwani appeared in Southport Magistrates Court via phone from the watchhouse on Monday where they both pleaded guilty.

The court was told the pair were returning to the Gold Coast after spending time in Melbourne.

Prosecutor Jade Goodburn told the court when they landed it was revealed Al-Ashy and El-Halwani had a border pass for Tweed residents.

Warnings signs greet motorists at the border between Qld and NSW at Tweed Heads. Picture Glenn Hampson

The pair were asked to return but while trying to purchase tickets they became argumentative.

They argued when the tickets they were offered were more expensive than the $78 they paid to fly to the Gold Coast.

Ms Goodburn said they had been offered tickets at about the $100 price.

Queensland Police also offered to pay for the flights but the pair were warned they would be fined if they did.

Al-Ashy’s lawyer Rachel Barnes, of Legal Aid Queensland, said Al-Ashy had tried to comply with the restrictions and there had been some confusion over the right border pass.

She also said Al-Ashy had been in quarantine for more than 14 days after being declared a close contact.

Ms Barnes said Al-Ashy wanted to return to Victoria but “everything happened quickly”.

El-Halwani’s lawyer Jacklyn Lyn, of Legal Aid Queensland, said El-Halwani had recovered from the coronavirus and released on October 4.

She said health officials had told El-Halwani he would not be able to contract or pass on the virus for months.

Ms Lynch said he was confused and thought that meant he was exempt from border rules.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert fined the pair $500 each. No convictions were recorded.

She said she reduced the original fine, which would have been more than $2000, as both has spent two nights in the watchhouse.

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