Trevor Payne, 46, has been proudly displaying festive lights outside his property in Cheslyn Hay, Staffs., for several years to raise money for mental health charities
RESIDENTS have blasted jobsworth police after a dad was threatened with a £10,000 fine - for decorating his home with Christmas lights.
Trevor Payne, 46, has been proudly displaying festive lights outside his property in Cheslyn Hay, Staffs., for several years to raise money for mental health charities.
But police were called to his property on Kestrel Way at around 5.20pm on December 5 following reports of a "large gathering" on the street.
Killjoy officers ordered him to turn off his stunning seasonal display or face a hefty fine for breaching coronavirus regulations - leaving families and children heartbroken.
Visitors said Trevor had gone to great lengths to make his garden Covid-safe by implementing a one-way system with hand sanitising stations.
They also claimed he had received full clearance beforehand from council bosses to ensure he was not flouting any Government rules.
Staffordshire Police for "spoiling the small amount of festive joy" they could experience this year in their Tier 3 area.
Anne Marie Beckett, 32, said her daughter Serena, three, and five-year-old son Bobby had been "loving" the lights before officers turned up on the road.
The single mum said: "I think it is disgusting to be honest.
“Most people were wearing masks and social distancing in a one-way system through the garden. It felt really safe and was beautifully decorated.
“It was the first time we’ve been to this one and it’s one of the best we’ve seen.
"Everyone was just trying to give their kids a little taste of Christmas and then the police turned up.
"They threatened to fine the homeowners £10,000 if the lights were not turned off immediately.
“The lights were lovely and the atmosphere was so nice. But when the police shut the lights down the atmosphere turned.
"We were just trying to get some Christmas spirit for the kids and now they have spoiled the small amount of festive joy we could enjoy this year.
“These people are selflessly raising money for Young Minds. They are doing their bit for a mental health charity, which really needs support at the moment"
.
RESIDENTS have blasted jobsworth police after a dad was threatened with a £10,000 fine - for decorating his home with Christmas lights.
Trevor Payne, 46, has been proudly displaying festive lights outside his property in Cheslyn Hay, Staffs., for several years to raise money for mental health charities.
But police were called to his property on Kestrel Way at around 5.20pm on December 5 following reports of a "large gathering" on the street.
Killjoy officers ordered him to turn off his stunning seasonal display or face a hefty fine for breaching coronavirus regulations - leaving families and children heartbroken.
Visitors said Trevor had gone to great lengths to make his garden Covid-safe by implementing a one-way system with hand sanitising stations.
They also claimed he had received full clearance beforehand from council bosses to ensure he was not flouting any Government rules.
Staffordshire Police for "spoiling the small amount of festive joy" they could experience this year in their Tier 3 area.
Anne Marie Beckett, 32, said her daughter Serena, three, and five-year-old son Bobby had been "loving" the lights before officers turned up on the road.
The single mum said: "I think it is disgusting to be honest.
“Most people were wearing masks and social distancing in a one-way system through the garden. It felt really safe and was beautifully decorated.
“It was the first time we’ve been to this one and it’s one of the best we’ve seen.
"Everyone was just trying to give their kids a little taste of Christmas and then the police turned up.
"They threatened to fine the homeowners £10,000 if the lights were not turned off immediately.
“The lights were lovely and the atmosphere was so nice. But when the police shut the lights down the atmosphere turned.
"We were just trying to get some Christmas spirit for the kids and now they have spoiled the small amount of festive joy we could enjoy this year.
“These people are selflessly raising money for Young Minds. They are doing their bit for a mental health charity, which really needs support at the moment"
.
