A Basingstoke man has been fined after travelling to a rave in Wales during the summer.

Matthew John Parker, along with thousands of others, assembled in Banwen, on Saturday, August 29, the BBC has reported.

The 35-year-old told Swansea Magistrates’ Court that he was “very sorry” for his actions as he was fined £1,200.

The rave began in the early hours of Saturday on the August bank holiday. Tougher restrictions had just come into place in Wales, with unlimited fines having been introduced for the organisers of illegal raves.

South Wales Police said that around 3,000 people from across the UK headed to Banwen, on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Residents are reported to have been kept awake by the noise of the nearby rave, with one man 14 miles away saying the music woke him up at 03:00am.

Police subsequently attended to break up the rave and disperse those attending, which took a number of days.

Parker was stopped by police while he was driving a van containing speakers, generators and electrical equipment.

He told the court he had moved into the van because his mother was at high risk of coronavirus, and thought that the rave “wouldn't be much of a risk" as it was outdoors.

He said that the rave was "the only chance I was going to see any of my friends that summer, let my hair down and enjoy myself", and apologised to the people of Wales for his actions.

Parker said: "I love Wales very much… I think the Welsh people are lovely, and the last thing I would have wanted to do is to spread the virus here. I'm very sorry," he said.

District Judge Christopher James said that his actions had caused considerable distress to the people of Banwen and were the "height of social irresponsibility". He fined Parker £1,200 for attending the rave and being in breach of regulations which forbid gatherings of more than 30 people.

The Chief Superintendent of South Wales Police, Simon Belcher, said “This type of illegal gathering is totally unacceptable and we are aware of the concerns it is causing for the local community.

“I would like to again remind people of their obligations under the current Coronavirus legislation and the overarching goal for everyone to take personal responsibility by following Welsh Government regulations to Keep Wales Safe.”