A woman who failed to justify her reasons for essential travel at a train station became the first person to be arrested and fined on the railways under new Coronavirus rules.

Marie Dinou, 41, was fined £850 after she was unable to give a valid reason for using the railway during the Coronavirus pandemic.

She was reported to police by railway staff for loitering between platforms at Newcastle Central station at around 8am on Saturday.

Police approached Dinou and spoke to her to try and find out why she needed to travel. But following several more attempts by officers to explain and encourage her, she refused to explain herself and she was arrested.

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said: ‘While a ticket offence had also been committed in this case, enforcement of any sort under the new regulations really is a last resort, especially arrest.

‘In this case, officers tried their utmost best to engage with Dinou. I can assure you we would much rather not have to take such action.

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‘We strongly urge the public to do the right thing and help us save lives by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus.’

Dinou, from York, was arrested and appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

She was handed a £650 fine for failing to comply with requirements imposed under the Coronavirus Act 2020, as well as an £85 fine for ticket fraud and £80 in costs.

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