A Sydney woman accused of breaching a Covid-safety direction after entering the ACT has broken down in tears in court and said she had been "just really scared" after her arrest.
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Speaking via telephone from the ACT Watch House, 24-year-old Isabella Sophie Hughes broke down in tears when she made the statement to the magistrates court on Saturday.
Magistrate Robert Cook replied: "I understand that, I can hear it."
"What I'm saying to you is just comply with the conditions and you'll be OK ... hang in there," Mr Cook said.
She has not pleaded to one count of failing to comply with a direction by the chief medical officer.
She was granted bail with the prosecution not opposing it and requiring only that the Australian Federal Police escorted her to Canberra Airport so she could fly back to NSW.
She is scheduled to front the court on August 2 for a plea.
If she does not appear, she will need to pay $1000.
Should there be further Covid restrictions by August 2, she is required to notify the court and to not attend the ACT so a new date may be set.
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In a statement, police alleged Ms Hughes had not been granted an exemption to enter the ACT and arrested her on Kings Avenue about midnight on Saturday after officers stopped the rideshare vehicle she was travelling in.
ACT police said the woman was identified as a Greater Sydney resident when she arrived in Canberra from a Sydney flight about 8pm on Friday.
The woman was taken to a hotel at the airport where she was ordered to remain at her own expense before she would be escorted to a return flight.
But about 11.45pm, hotel staff notified ACT Policing the woman had guests and was preparing to leave the hotel.
Police said they followed a rideshare vehicle the woman was travelling in from the hotel before stopping the vehicle on Kings Avenue about 12.05am on Saturday.
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Toby Vue
Toby Vue joined The Canberra Times in April 2021 and is a court reporter after covering the round in NSW and Queensland. He has also reported on regional and rural affairs, local government and sport. He was a Sunday Canberra Times reporter. Email: t.vue@canberratimes.com.au.
Toby Vue joined The Canberra Times in April 2021 and is a court reporter after covering the round in NSW and Queensland. He has also reported on regional and rural affairs, local government and sport. He was a Sunday Canberra Times reporter. Email: t.vue@canberratimes.com.au.
Jasper Lindell
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
