Zara Holland has escaped being sent to prison after she was charged with breaking coronavirus laws in Barbados. The Love Island star was instead handed a fine of almost £4500 after trying to flee the island and catch a flight back to the UK with her boyfriend Elliott Love when he tested positive for the virus. The former Miss Great Britain, 25, was given the punishment by a judge at District D Magistrates' Court in St Thomas yesterday (6 January).
According to reports, Zara pleaded guilty to breaching Covid lockdown laws by 'leaving quarantine without a reasonable explanation' – an offence which is punishable by a year in a prison and a maximum fine of £18,000. Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes instead ordered the ex-Islander to pay a fine of $12,000 Barbados dollars (£4417) within seven days or face nine month in prison.
Defending Zara, her lawyer Andrew Pilgrim QC, said she accepts that her attempt to leave the country was 'foolish' and has taken 'full responsibility' for her actions.
Zara’s boyfriend Elliott remains in a quarantine centre until he has provided two negative tests, but it is believed he will be questioned by police when he is released and could face charges himself.
Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, has said that the government in prepared to take the 'necessary action' to publish tourists like Zara and Elliott who are caught flouting the country’s coronavirus rules. She explained, 'I believe that by far the majority of tourists are complying, but the handful who have chosen, literally to ignore our morals, ignore our customs, ignore our laws and guidelines, then you must equally be held accountable with the respect to what you have to face coming out of this country.'
Earlier this week, Zara issued an apology for breaking the rules in a statement issued to Barbados Today via her representative. She wrote, 'I firstly wish to apologise to the entire country of Barbados for what has been a massive mix up and misunderstanding during my most recent stay. I am currently working closely with the local authorities to rectify any issues on my part and will issue an update and full statement which I think is the only right thing to do to the Government and citizens of Barbados.'
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