A salon owner who has flouted the new national lockdown rules after citing the Magna Carta, has been fined £27,000 ($36,000).
Sinead Quinn, who owns Quinn Blakey Hairdressers in Oakenshaw, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, was initially hit with £1,000 and £2,000 notices for defying government orders to close on 5 November.
The salon was then slapped with another £4,000 penalty on Saturday (21 November) for doing the same.
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And then council officers visited her shop twice again this week and issued two more fines of £10,000 each after she was found to still be trading.
During earlier visits by the local authorities, Ms Quinn said she 'did not consent' to the rules being imposed on the country.
Kirklees Council said the salon had opened on Saturday, Monday (23 November) and Tuesday (24 November) in a region which has among the highest Covid infection rates in England - 446.4 cases per 100,000 people in the seven days to 19 November.
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A spokesperson for the council slammed the actions of the business owner as 'selfish and irresponsible'.
They said: "The business was open and trading again so they have been issued with a further £10,000 fine which means the total is now £27,000.
"We are now in the process of exploring alternative action."
Ms Quinn had recently taken to social media to post videos of her refusing to comply with the council officers, and claiming that police were 'stalking' her.
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In one video of her speaking to a council employee, she cited 'common law' as her defence.
She had also previously placed a sign in the window that claimed provisions within the Magna Carta - written in 1215 - allowed her to stay open.
The passage she cited, Clause 61, offered 25 barons the right to lawfully rebel if they thought they were being governed unjustly by the king at the time, however, it was later omitted from later versions and was never enshrined in English law.
The spokesperson for Kirklees Council said it appreciated the hardships people are facing but said it is vital everyone does their part.
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The council said: "It is absolutely crucial for people's safety that we all follow the latest Covid-19 rules and guidance.
"The law set by the Government is there so we can bring infection rates down, ease pressure on our health services and save lives.
"But it only works if we all stick to it and realise that no one is above the law. Frankly, the actions taken by this business are selfish and irresponsible.
"We will not hesitate to take action on anyone who breaches the rules that are in place to keep us all safe.
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"Repeated breaches of Covid-19 regulations result in ever increasing fines up to £10,000 and eventually prosecution."
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe added: "A lot of businesses feel they have done everything they can, but then have still had to shut down.
"They have our sympathy, but this is something that has to be done to stay safe.
"The fundamental part of a successful economy is that people feel that can stay healthy and safe if when they visit a business."
Ms Quinn has declined to speak to any media outlets over the matter.
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: council, Coronavirus, Politics, Health, Covid-19