Judge reduces sentences on self-isolation breach duo

Aivis Licitis had already served the 14-day sentence imposed by the Magistrate’s Court.

Licitis, 34, had admitted failing to comply with the requirement to self-isolate, while Gundega Dreimane, 43, admitted aiding and abetting him to do it.

In their appeal against sentence heard in the Royal Court yesterday, her sentence of 28 days in prison, suspended for two years, was halved to 14 days. A £1,000 fine remained.

At their appearance in the Magistrate’s Court in September, Licitis was jailed for 14 days with immediate effect.

Dreimane was fined £1,000 and the 28-day suspended sentence imposed.

The court had heard how Licitis had arrived in Guernsey from Latvia on 24 May and under the regulations at the time was supposed to self-isolate until 5 June.

But while in his room of the St Saviour’s hotel, Dreimane had visited him with food and stayed for between 15 and 20 minutes.

She was found hiding in a wardrobe by a maintenance man who suspected Licitis was not following the regulations.

In appealing against sentence, the pair were represented by Advocate Nick Barnes.

After the Jurats heard the appeal the court retired to consider a decision.

On its return, Judge Catherine Fooks dismissed the Jurats and said she had come to a decision based solely on the law.

She said that she had allowed the appeals to an extent.

Licitis should have been given a 14-day prison sentence, suspended for two years.

She reduced the 28-day suspended sentence imposed on Dreimane from 28 days to 14, also suspended for two years. The fine would remain.

Judge Fooks did not read out detailed reasons for her decision and said she would hand these down later.