DOZENS of people were convicted and fined for breaching coronavirus laws in West Midlands last year, figures show.

The financial penalties have been criticised by campaign groups who also say many nationally did not get a fair hearing due to the introduction a fast-track court process.

Ministry of Justice data shows in 2020, there were 70 court prosecutions in the area served by West Midlands Police for breaches of restrictions introduced at the beginning of the pandemic.

They resulted in 33 convictions, with most leading to fines.

The largest number of fines – 13 – ranged from £50 to £100 while two convictions resulted in fines of between £1,000 and £2,500.

In total, £5,878 in fines were issued by the courts in West Midlands.

Aside from fines, one prosecution led to a conditional discharge, where no further action is taken unless a further offence is committed, and one to a community sentence.

Almost all the convictions – 30 –were for breaches of emergency restrictions, while three were for offences related to failing to comply with screening.

The figures detail all prosecution outcomes, so the same defendant could have been listed more than once.