NSW border breach case: Mum allegedly drives from Victoria have baby in Coffs Harbour

A new mum will face court after she allegedly illegally crossed the Victoria-NSW border while pregnant before giving birth in Coffs Harbour.

A new mother will face court in NSW for allegedly breaching border restrictions by travelling 1300km from Victoria to Coffs Harbour to give birth.

Police began investigating after receiving a tip a 26-year-old woman and 28-year-old man – both Malaysian nationals – were suspected of crossing the border unlawfully when they presented at Coffs Harbour Hospital to have a baby on August 27.

Just 10 days earlier the pair, along with eight other Malaysian nationals in a convoy of four vehicles, were stopped at the Victorian-NSW border in Euston, 100km southeast of Mildura.

All 10 presented Victorian border resident permits and told police they were on their way to Coffs Harbour to find work as fruit pickers.

NSW Police manning the border checkpoint directed the group to return to Victoria after telling them their permits didn’t allow for travel beyond the border zone, and they would be required to fly into Sydney and quarantine in a hotel before continuing north.

Police questioned the couple after the woman gave birth in Coffs Harbour on Monday.

Police allege during the conversation it was established the pair crossed at a different location on the border resident permit.

NSW Police said both were issued with court attendance notices for not complying with a COVID-19 noticed direction.

The pair are due to face Coffs Harbour Local Court on September 14.

NSW Police also fined a 25-year-old man $1000 on Monday after he was caught walking in Sam Sing St in Waterloo at 1.40am on August 2 when he was supposed to be self-isolating having recently returned from Melbourne.

Police checking interstate motorists travelling into NSW from Victoria. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

Two men, aged 22 and 25, were also fined $1000 each on Monday after police uncovered a large party of about 20-30 people at a Jindabyne resort on August 26.

A Lethbridge Park woman, 22, was also slugged $1000 after police busted a 100 partygoers at her house about 12.30am on August 29.

A number of teenagers allegedly became aggressive and violent towards police when they arrived to break up the party, with four to face court on public order charges.

A business manager was also hit with a $5000 fine on Monday after police caught 41 people on-board a vessel at King Street Wharf with an incomplete COVID Safety Plan while not observing social distancing on Saturday night.

NSW Police urged the community to continue to report suspected breaches or behaviour that could impact the health and safety of everyone.

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