Echuca’s Pastoral Hotel owner pleads not guilty in court

Court appearance: The owner of Echuca’s Pastoral Hotel in Sturt St has appeared in court. Photo by Cath Grey

An Echuca pub owner who allegedly defied public health orders by allowing customers to dine-in while Victoria was in COVID-19 lockdown has pleaded not guilty in court.

Trevor Bernard Andrews, owner of the Pastoral Hotel, faced Echuca Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, December 14, charged with refusing to comply with a direction of an authorised officer under the Chief Health Officer directions.

Mr Andrews represented himself at the brief hearing with Magistrate Russell Kelly asking him what he was pleading before adjourning the matter to February.