A CAR wash boss appeared in court for breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules.

Saman Ahmed allowed services to continue running at the business in London Road, Crawley.

That was despite rules coming into force ordering non-essential businesses to close back in November last year.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the “second lockdown” on October 31 for four weeks, in a bid to curb the rising number of Covid-19 infections and hospital admissions.

It required businesses such as pubs, restaurants, gyms, and non-essential services to close their doors, while only essential services like supermarkets or pharmacies were allowed to remain open.

But at the Express Hand Car Wash in London Road, business carried on.

West Sussex County Council was informed over the incident, and twice caught the business flouting the rules on November 9 and on December 27, Crawley Magistrates’ Court heard.

The Argus: The Express Hand Car Wash in London Road, CrawleyThe Express Hand Car Wash in London Road, Crawley

Ahmed was prosecuted for breaching the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations.

Last month he admitted the charges, and as sole director of Express Car Wash Services Ltd he also admitted both breaches.

Ahmed, of Hare Lane, Langley Green, Crawley, appeared before magistrates on May 20.

He was fined £200 as an individual and the business was also fined £200.

The court also ordered him to pay costs of £1,820 to West Sussex County Council who brought the prosecution.

Magistrate Ann Schroder also ordered Ahmed to pay a £40 surcharge.