A brothel in Western Sydney was fined an amount for staying open during a lockdown following a peculiar explanation provided by one of its patrons.
The staff and customers of the establishment in Sydney were fined $12,500 for defying the lockdown measures in place.
Authorities were alerted to the situation when they received a tip off from Crime Stoppers about a violation at a brothel in Rydalmere on Monday evening.
Upon arrival police found the 57 year female owner and three female employees aged 31, 36 and 56 on site. Additionally two male clients aged 56 and 57 were present without wearing masks.
Despite denying that any business was being conducted one man claimed he was there to provide painting quotes while the other mentioned he had come to see his girlfriend.
Subsequent investigations confirmed that the establishment had indeed been operational as stated by NSW Police in a release.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated on Tuesday night that both the massage parlor and brothel were prohibited from operating under the public health directives. He also mentioned that seven individuals were fined for either operating or being present at the brothel, on Monday night.
Everyone received fines for not wearing masks and violating the curfew except for the 36 year lady who resided in the brothel.
The owner of the brothel was also fined $5,000. Authorities instructed everyone to head but according to the police the 31 year old woman attempted to go back, to the brothel shortly afterward.
She was taken into custody. Charged with disobeying a curfew in that specific area and not wearing a properly fitting mask in an indoor public setting.