Seven young people from the Liverpool and inner south Sydney area were given police infringement notices and warnings after being found at Blaxland McDonald's at 4 in the morning, unmasked and out of their own lockdown area. The expensive Maccas run cost $5000 in total for "failing to comply" with the Public Health Act.
The group said they were "exercising" when questioned. Blue Mountains Detective Acting Inspector Richard Gentle said they had planned on "bushwalking" and were issued infringements for being away from home. They were not wearing masks, but put on ones supplied by McDonald's. Police made a discretionary call and did not issue additional fines. Two of the group were under 18. The incident occurred on Sunday July 4.
Another Public Health Act breach occurred midnight Friday July 2, police attended a home on Hawkesbury Road, Winmalee and found two men visiting for a BBQ and alcoholic drinks. They were issued infringements for breaching stay-at-home rules. Insp Gentle said they have spoken to "several people over the weekend who reside outside the Mountains but were visiting for exercise ...under current regulations, exercise should be conducted in the local government area in which you reside". On-the-spot fines of $1000 can be issued and $200 for not wearing masks.
Bike thieves
Between 11.30pm on Friday July 2 and 11am on Saturday July 3 unknown person/s broke into a home on Sun Valley Road, Sun Valley, and stole two unregistered motor bikes (Husqvarna models).
The residents were asleep at the time. Police are seeking witnesses or CCTV. Contact Springwood Police on 4751 0299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Missing man found
A man missing from the Mountains has been locatedl.
The 84-year-old man was reported missing to police after family last spoke to him about 11.30am on Thursday July 1 at his Wentworth Falls home.
He was located by police the following day in Lithgow.
Teacher jailed
An ex-Blaxland High school music teacher has been jailed for 13 months for sexual assault offences.
David John Leishman, 50, was convicted on three charges of aggravated sexually touching another person. The charges relate to incidents at the school in 2019 when Leishman touched a student on the breasts and on the buttocks and also kissed her on the lips. The student was 15 at the time.
Leishman was sentenced in Penrith District Court in April to 12 months jail on the touching charges, with a non-parole period of nine months. He was sentenced to 13 months' jail on the kissing charge, with a non-parole period of nine months.
The jail terms were backdated to start on February 19 this year.
