A man who ignored a coronavirus quarantine directive and repeatedly snuck out of a Perth hotel to visit his girlfriend has become the first Australian jailed for the offence.
However, he will only serve one month behind bars.
Jonathan David, 35, pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to two counts of failing to comply with a direction.
He was sentenced on Wednesday to six months and two weeks in prison but the majority of the term was suspended.
That means if he commits another crime over the next 12 months, he could be forced to serve the rest of the prison sentence.
He was also fined $2000.
David had travelled from Victoria and was sent into quarantine at the Travelodge Hotel in Perth for 14 days, but instead snuck out and used public transport.
Police said he even wedged open a fire exit door at the hotel so he could leave and return without staff seeing him.
A man in WA has been jailed for breaking quarantine, the first in Australia Source: Supplied
A police prosecutor previously described David's actions as "gross stupidity".
Magistrate Elaine Campione said David had been "more than foolish" and was "selfish in the extreme" during a state of emergency.
"You chose to roll the dice with other people's lives and that was breathtakingly arrogant," she said.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at
