A BUSINESSMAN who tried to operate a ‘click and collect’ car washing service during a Covid lockdown has been fined.

Saeed Ahmed, 36, admitted to breaching the regulations when appearing at Southend Magistrates Court.

Police caught Ahmed cleaning a transit van belonging to another business at the S and M Car Wash site in Pitsea back on November 23, 2020.

The business had been served with a temporary closure notice by Basildon Council 12 days before due to the month-long lockdown ordered by the Government.

Ahmed had told police he was the only one working at the site and was running a click and collect cleaning service for clients.

But this was deemed a breach of lockdown rules, which required all car cleaning services to stop operating.

Ahmed, of Elder Avenue, Wickford, had previously denied breaching the restrictions before changing his plea to guilty.

He was fined £333.