Alleged hotel quarantine dodger cries in court, claiming ‘misunderstanding’

A US woman who allegedly went shopping while she was supposed to be in hotel quarantine has become emotional in court.

An American woman accused of repeatedly breaching hotel quarantine in Perth, including to go shopping, has cried in court while unsuccessfully pleading with a magistrate to grant her bail.

Police said Sonya Anglin arrived in Perth on a flight from Cairns on July 16 and was ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days at a hotel.

But during multiple checks on Ms Anglin, officers allegedly discovered she was not at the hotel, and had instead gone to a licensed cafe and shopping in the CBD.

Police charged the United States national with five counts of failing to comply with a direction.

She faced Perth Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from Bandyup Prison, wearing gloves and a mask.

Throughout the hearing, she repeatedly tried to interject and appeared to cry as she placed one hand over her heart.

Perth has strict coronavirus rules. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Eventually, the magistrate allowed her to speak and she had to take several deep breaths before beginning.

“I’m quite emotional … I’m going to stay calm,” she said.

Ms Anglin explained she had been in Australia for 18 months – before the pandemic began.

She said there were some “misunderstandings and confusion” upon her arrival to Perth.

“I understand there was some error of judgment (on my part),” she said.

“I understand now that I should have contacted someone.”

But she added that she did not know who to contact.

Ms Anglin said she had never been arrested, and had a “clean” driving record.

“My family are law abiding citizens,” she said.

The court heard Ms Anglin’s quarantine period was due to end at midnight.

But the magistrate said the allegations were “incredibly serious” given the concerns the community held about Covid-19.

Cleaners clean handrails at Perth Airport. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Tony McDonough

He said the community would expect him to be “incredibly cautious”.

“I’m not prepared to grant bail on the basis that the prison authorities make the decision about whether or not the Covid restrictions have been met,” he said.

It should be a matter for a magistrate to determine, he said.

The magistrate further added that he was confident the community would want him to be “particularly careful given what’s alleged” and he did not want to take any risks with the health of the community.

“It’s not an isolated incidence of (alleged) noncompliance,” he said.

It was the second time her bail application had been rejected.

Ms Anglin, who has tested negative for Covid-19, was remanded in custody to appear in court again on Monday via video link.