Virus halts court dates

Court proceedings at Rockingham Magistrate’s Court played out a little differently on Friday, as several of the accused failed to show up due to COVID-19. One of the accused who failed to show up had a long string of charges, including endangering the life, health and safety of another, stealing, being a driver of a vehicle involved in an incident occasioning in bodily harm and more. Magistrate Vivian Edwards told the court the man was self-isolating due to medical advice, after he reported a high fever and bad cough. Another man who did not show up was only charged with one offence, no authority to drive. Ms Edwards said the man had a chronic illness and had decided to not come to court to avoid the chance of catching COVID-19 as he was considered high risk. Another two people did not show up for their court date as they answered positively to at least one of the questions asked at the front doors of the courthouse. Everyone had to answer if they had a fever or were showing any other symptoms, if they had been overseas, or if they had been in contact with anyone who had been self-isolating. One woman who had charges related to drug use, plus one charge of possessing a firearm without a licence answered yes when asked if she had been in close contact with someone who had COVID-19 or who was suspected of having it. Guards at the front of the court asked her to leave.