COVID breach heard in court

By Lachlan Ellis

A man has been put on a diversion plan and ordered to be of good behaviour until April, after trying to pass through the ‘Ring of Steel’ without a valid reason in 2020.

John Milonas appeared in-person at the Bacchus Marsh Magistrates’ Court on Friday 3 February, charged with breaching COVID lockdown protocols in July of 2020.

Police Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Clare Kane said Mr Milonas claimed to be on his way to work, but supplied no proof of his place of work and refused to show police the tools he claimed to have in his car.

“On 19 March 2020, the Minister for Health declared a state of emergency due to the COVID pandemic. On the 19th of July, there was the direction that included the restriction of travel with the four reasons why people could leave,” LSC Kane said.

“On the 23rd of July 2020 at 5.57 pm, the accused was seen by police entering the vehicle checkpoint located on the Western Freeway at Bacchus Marsh. He was asked his reason for travel, and stated he was travelling for work but was unable to provide any paperwork or an address to say that he’d been working at Daylesford.

“He made a call to a female friend who said he was doing some work for her, but refused to state what he was doing, and refused to provide any details to police to confirm this. Police observed a sleeping bag, clothes, and other items placed on the back seat of his vehicle.”

Mr Milonas was issued with a penalty notice, and refused to answer police questions, saying “I don’t have to tell you anything mate. Is this a communist country? I don’t have to show you anything, am I under arrest, or am I free to go?”

The original penalty notice issued to Mr Milonas was $1,652. He was also charged for a breach of bail after failing to attend an earlier scheduled court date.

“Can you stay out of trouble for three months?” Magistrate Hugh Radford asked.

“No problem. Easy,” Mr Milonas said.

Mr Milonas was put on a diversion plan adjourned to 7 April 2023, meaning if he avoids committing jailable offences until that date, the proceedings will be dismissed.