A NSW man has been sent packing by the police after allegedly flying to Tasmania, refusing to leave, then destroying his quarantine hotel room.
Benjamin Peter Suthers Barnes appeared in court last week and was charged with one count of destroying property, three counts of failing to comply with the lawful requirement or direction of an emergency management worker, and one count of failing to comply with the direction of the director of public health.
Court documents state that Barnes destroyed $5000 worth of property in his room while undertaking mandatory hotel quarantine at the Travelodge hotel (featured image) in Hobart between 26 to 29 November 2021.
The destruction includes damages to a glass wardrobe door, plaster walls, a powerpoint, a window frame and an opening mechanism.
The documents further claim that Barnes was instructed to leave Tasmania (once a negative COVID test had been delivered), but refused to comply. Why authorities told Barnes to leave Tasmania was not revealed in court.
Barnes was also alleged to have left his room on several occasions without permission or a mask, and opened his door on twelve occasions without wearing a mask.
Barnes did not enter a plea, but was granted bail. He will be escorted by police to the airport and placed on a flight tonight, with his case returning to court in January 2022.
