A GYM owner is set to stand trial charged with allegedly refusing to close the business and breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

Michelle Meade-Wyatt, 45, from Faraway House, High Hills Lane, Liverpool denied refusing to The Ripped Gym in Wych Elm, Harlow, on 5 November last year.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates Court on Wednesday July 28 also denied causing criminal damage by destroying magazines worth £6 belonging to Essex Police.

She's due to stand trial at the court from November 23. The court heard Meade-Wyatt made an “honest mistake” and confused the date of her trial.

Ten fixed penalty notice tickets were given to people in the gym in November last year and Harlow Council had issued a prohibition order requiring it to close.

Essex was in England tier two restrictions during that time, which meant gyms were banned from opening.