Darren and Jannine Lay: Mildura parents’ alleged lockdown drive ‘for exercise’

A Mildura couple who allegedly drove 40 minutes from their home during stay-at-home directions say their “cooped up” kids needed exercise.

Parents who allegedly took their children on a 40-minute drive, during last year’s stay-at-home COVID lockdown directions, say they were doing so to let their kids exercise.

Mildura couple Darren Ian Lay, 46, and Jannine Ann Lay, 44, pleaded not guilty to three charges while appearing via audio link at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Each were charged with failing to comply with the chief health officer’s stay-at-home direction, while Darren Lay was also charged with providing a false name.

Police told the court officers met the pair at Police Bend, on the Murray River at Nangiloc, at 3pm on April 12 last year.

It was alleged they were sitting in the open boot of a vehicle drinking what appeared to be white wine or chardonnay while their children played near the river.

Both are alleged to have been reluctant to talk to police, with Darren Lay described as being “openly hostile”.

Police said he provided them with the false name “Bob Smith”.

It was estimated the pair, who were issued with $1652 infringement notices, had travelled at least 40 minutes by car from their Mildura residence.

The pair claimed the family had been “cooped up” in an inner city apartment with no backyard and were giving their children the chance to exercise.

Jannine Lay said the stay-at-home directions had included the right to leave home for exercise.

She said there had been “a little bit of a grey area” about how that applied to parents supervising children who needed to exercise.

Asked by Magistrate Michael Coghlan if they believed the chief health officer’s directions were unlawful, Darren Lay replied: “Absolutely that’s what we’re saying.”

The pair disputed the police claim about drinking alcohol, saying they were drinking soda water.

The matter was listed for a contested hearing on May 6.