A man has pleaded guilty to breaking Covid rules after he threw a large boat party during the third lockdown.

Jordy Nicholas Van Duijvenbode, 31, pleaded guilty after around 30 people gathered for a boat party that travelled on the River Lea between Tottenham Lock and Hackney on February 13.

Police received several calls in the early hours that day to reports of a large number of people playing music on the boat – despite restrictions in place during the middle of the third lockdown.

Officers located the boat just off Hackney Marshes at around 4.20am.

An inside look of the boat (Photo: Met Police)

An inside look of the boat (Photo: Met Police)

Van Duijvenbode was identified as the organiser and, on Sunday, 14 February, charged under the Health Protection Regulations with one count of holding a gathering of more than 30 people.

He was also charged with one count of participating in a gathering of two or more people, relating to an incident earlier in February.

He pleaded guilty this Monday (May 3) and will be sentenced on June 4.

Acting Chief Inspector Pete Shaw, responsible for the Met's response to Covid policing in central east London, said: “We are still in a pandemic, and restrictions are in place to keep our families, friends and communities safe.

“Van Duijvenbode clearly thought that holding gatherings was more important than the safety of others. He and everyone who attended his events put others’ lives in danger.

“We will continue to take action against those who think they are above the law and pose a risk to our communities with this sort of reckless behaviour.

“Thankfully, Van Duijvenbode is part of a selfish minority. Many people across London have put huge chunks of their own lives on hold as they do their bit to follow the guidance and reduce Covid infections. The large majority have behaved admirably and I hope they are proud of themselves for helping fight this health crisis.”