Emma Stevens: Woman breached COVID-19 stay-at-home directions in Mildura

A woman who breached stay-at-home directions multiple times in Mildura told police she was “not a real criminal”.

Police speak with drivers during Victoria’s stay-at-home orders. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

A woman who ignored two warnings about breaching Victoria’s stay-at-home directions in Mildura has been caught by police a further three times.

Red Cliffs woman Emma Stevens, 33, pleaded guilty to the breaches last year at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, appearing by audio link.

Police told the court Stevens was first intercepted driving in Mildura on August 12, when there were only four reasons for Victorians to leave home.

She was given the first of two verbal warnings for being outside her home without an essential reason.

In the early hours of August 16 she was stopped at Hugh King Drive and given an infringement notice.

The same police stopped Stevens again on August 19 at 1.45am, issuing another infringement notice, before other officers found her driving again just hours later.

She was arrested and interviewed at Mildura police station, telling officers “coronavirus is bulls**t” and she was “not a real criminal”.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan asked Stevens if she thought the rules didn’t apply to her.

Stevens said the rules did apply but some of the offending had happened after arguments with her partner.

She said she tried to go to a friend’s place but they hadn’t been home.

Stevens acknowledged that on two occasions she was “just driving”.

She was fined $400 for each breach.

“We need to all work together … to make sure we don’t all lock down again and again and again,” Mr Coghlan said.