Reading Magistrates' Court: Theale's man's £380 bill for lockdown party

A MAN who broke coronavirus lockdown rules has been landed with a £380 bill in fines and costs.

The figure is in stark contrast to the £50 penalty paid by Prime Minister Boris Johnson for breaking his own rules at a Downing Street party.

However, Michael Iles chose to contest the matter – and lost.

The 53-year-old, of Blossom Avenue, Theale, pleaded not guilty to participating in a gathering at a home in The Crescent, Theale, on January 19 last year, in defiance of coronavirus restrictions.

But he was convicted following a trial at Reading Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, May 10.

Mr Iles also has nearly 200 previous convictions for a range of offences.

He was fined £180 and ordered to pay £166 costs plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £34.