No criminal charges laid for Woodville Pizza Bar ‘liar’

Police have revealed why they won’t be charging the pizza shop worker whose lie led to South Australia’s unnecessary shutdown.

The Woodville Pizza Bar worker who lied about his employment will not be charged. Picture: Matt Turner.

The pizza shop worker whose lie led to South Australia’s unnecessary shutdown will not be prosecuted, police say.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey, in charge of Task Force Protect, said there was not enough evidence to suggest the man broke any laws and therefore no criminal charges would be laid.

Assistant Commissioner Harvey said police had found the man’s first conversation with contact tracers had been “misleading” and sparked the lockdown.

The Woodville Pizza Bar employee who lied to contact tracers will not be prosecuted. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

This was because the man changed his initial version of the story.

He first told health authorities he simply made contact with a pizza box but later admitted to working at the Woodville Pizza Bar.

Police gave a suite of evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and senior prosecution members.

But the advice they received back was that based on what they had it wouldn’t be enough to succeed in court.

Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Harvey speaking to the media at Police Headquarters, Adelaide in relation to Task Force Protect. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

“From a criminal investigation perspective, this matter is now complete,” Assistant Commissioner Harvey said.

“I’m glad it’s over so we can get back to other investigations that are still on our plate.”

South Australia was plunged into a strict six-day lockdown after it was believed the man contracted coronavirus after buying a pizza from the Woodville Rd business.

Streets were empty after Premier Steven Marshall imposed the six-day lockdown restrictions. Photo: Kelly Barnes/Getty Images

However, the restrictions eased three days early after it was revealed the man was not a customer, but instead an employee at the shop who had worked several shifts.

At the time, a scathing Premier Steven Marshall said the man’s actions had led to the unnecessary lockdown.

“To say that I am fuming about the actions of this individual is an understatement,” Mr Marshall said.

“The selfish actions of this individual have put our whole state in a very difficult situation.

“His actions have affected businesses, individuals, family groups and it is completely and utterly unacceptable.”