Coronavirus: £10,000 fine issued over christening party for 50 guests with marquee and DJ

The organisers of a christening party attended by some 50 guests have been fined £10,000 for breaching coronavirus restrictions.Â

Guests from as far away as London travelled to Wolverhampton for the bash, which featured a hired marquee, DJ decks, live entertainers and tables piled high with food and drink.

Thursday night’s event, at a home in the city’s Blakenhall area, only came to an end when it was broken up by officers from West Midlands Police.

The force has now issued bodycam footage of the “astonishing” incident.

A man can be seen answering his front door and appears to tell two officers: “I'm christening my small baby. We're having a little bit of a party."

When told he is breaching coronavirus restrictions, the man replies: “I know, but I don't believe in this virus because it's no harm."

A weary-sounding officer responds: “It’s science.”

When told to end the party, the man responds: “Give me one hour?”

Wolverhampton is currently grappling with infection rates of 235 cases for every 100,000 people, according to NHS data.

It is in tier 2 of the government’s alert system, meaning different households cannot mix indoors or in private gardens.

Across the West Midlands as a whole, some 5,926 people have died from the illness since March.

Superintendent Simon Inglis, of the force, called the party "a reckless breach" of rules.

He added: "This is not about stopping people's fun and celebrations but it is about saving lives from this awful virus.

"The vast majority are following the guidelines and having to make personal sacrifices. There are people unable to attend funerals and say goodbye to loved ones while abiding by the restrictions."

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