POLICE were left dismayed after partygoers claimed they “didn’t watch the news” and they “were unaware” about the pandemic as their house party was rumbled in Popley on Saturday night. 


A 27-year-old man from Basingstoke has been slapped with a fixed penalty notice after holding the gathering but his guests have not been fined, according to Hampshire Constabulary.


Officers were called to Guernsey Close at 8.30pm to reports of a house party where they found four people at the address who didn’t live there - in breach of current restrictions.


But police were taken aback by their excuse. A spokesman for the force said: “The occupants were spoken to and claimed to be unaware of the global pandemic as they never watch the news.” 


You can read the full story in this week’s edition of The Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • Basingstoke has been ranked the third most vulnerable town in England at risk of job losses in the retail sector, post lockdown. 
  • A man from Oakridge stole a close friend’s wedding fund before targeting his girlfriend’s family and  has been jailed for 32 months. 
  • Thieves are targeting vehicles belonging to NHS workers and visitors at Basingstoke hospital.
  • The chair of a village council has been forced to apologise after he was found to be disrespectful towards people with disabilities, referring to a group of residents as “inmates of the asylum”. 
  • A temporary mortuary in Winklebury is to become operational this week after ‘significant pressures’ in the hospital system. 
  • The Camrose Stadium has been listed as an asset of community value.
  • Tributes have been paid to a former photographer who spent more than three decades of his life revolutionising the photography department of The Gazette.
  • Volunteers set to take over a library in North Hampshire have received a boost after a £10,000 grant from Hampshire County Council.
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • All the latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • An eight page children's newspaper special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Two pages of sports news. And much more!

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