South Yorkshire welders jailed for failing to self-isolate, after conversation overheard at Tesco

The men, all of whom are from Doncaster, were arrested after one was heard telling someone at Tesco ‘I’ve just got off the boat’ and his comments were reported to a supermarket employee.

Luke Kevin Fletcher, 22; Jack Michael Anthony Smith, 18; Robbie Rhodes, 18; Michael Stewart Smith, 43; and Christopher Leroy Lafayette, 62, all pleaded guilty to failing to comply with Covid-19 restrictions under the Emergency Powers Act.

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Appearing before magistrates via video link on Thursday, October 1, they were each handed 14 days behind bars.

The court heard how they had arrived on the island by ferry from Heysham, Lancashire, on September 29.

They were due to be doing two days maintenance work on the Manx Electric Railway for Haigh Rail.

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Instead of going straight from the port to their accommodation the group went to a Tesco store to buy alcohol, it was heard.

They were wearing masks but aroused suspicion after engaging in conversation with a local, who heard one say ‘I've just got off the boat’.

The incident was reported to a Tesco staff member and the men were arrested by police later that night.

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The Manx courts have now sent 12 people to prison for breaking isolation rules.

Lockdown on the Isle of Man ended on June 15 and there are currently no social distancing rules.

Pubs, restaurants, cinemas and gyms are open as normal.