TWO men from Taunton have been fined over a thousand pounds for breaching Covid-19 regulations at the start of the year.

The Somerset County Council area was placed under Tier 4 Covid restrictions from New Year’s Eve by former health secretary, Matt Hancock.

Under Tier 4 restrictions, people were instructed to stay at home unless they had a "reasonable excuse" to be out, including work and education.

Other measures were also taken to reduce the spread of the virus, including closing non-essential shops, beauty salons and hairdressers.

Gary Jewell, of Drake Close, Taunton, was fined £2,000 at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court yesterday for breaching Tier 4 regulations.

On February 27, Jewell, 60, was in Plymouth, Devon, without a reasonable excuse. 

Alongside the £2,000 fine, Jewell was ordered to pay a £190 surcharge to fund victim services and costs of £90 – taking his total to £2,280.  

Meanwhile Jayden Bryant, of Richards Crescent, Monkton Heathfield, picked up a £1,100 fine for being in Cullompton, Devon, without a reasonable excuse on February 20.

Bryant, 19, was ordered to pay a surcharge of £110 and costs of £90 at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court yesterday, giving him a total of £1,300.  

Both men have until October 18 to pay their fines, surcharges and costs.