District Judge Marie Mallon said there was “plenty” of evidence that the Ellwood Gymnasium in Hartlepool was being used as a gym and that it was an “absurd” statement that it was being used for a peaceful protest. Elwood, 58, was fined .000 30,000 and ordered to pay 25 25,507, as well as 18 181 for the victim. Elwood, who said after the case that he intended to appeal, took 12 months to pay the money. Read more:Residents are urged to stay away from the area near the school due to an “unknown” substance There was ridicule from the public gallery by Elwood supporters, who accompanied him throughout the trial. Elwood had denied violating Covid 19 legislation on February 2 and February 7 last year at the Extreme Fitness gym. He also denied violating a ban notice issued by the Hartlepool Council for each of the two days. Extreme Fitness at Hartlepool by Eddy Ellwood (Image: Andy Commins / Daily Mirror) During the hearing, he said that the venues were open so that people could protest peacefully against Covid’s restrictions. He said he was also there to help people suffering from mental health problems. Judge Mallon said: “There is plenty of evidence of people using gym equipment, wearing exercise clothes and carrying fitness kits. There is a wealth of evidence in this case that the premises were used as a fitness facility. “It was absurd to say that the purpose of the presence was to protest. No one but the people there would know it.” He said Elwood was not a credible witness and had made a deliberate choice to break the law. Dr John Smith, an advocate, said Ellwood’s business had not fully recovered from the Covid pandemic. He said: “It was difficult for him to cover my wages that I returned today, so he has financial problems. “I accept that there was an element that wanted his day in court. He really feels that what he did was helping people and doing what was necessary. Dr Smith said all the issues concerned a few days and said: “It was not a long period of council disobedience.” However, Judge Mallon said this was “a fragrant and deliberate violation of the law”. For daily news from Teesside Stadiums directly to your inbox, Go here to subscribe to our free court newsletter Read more related articles Read more related articles