Covid: Joelinton's barber had been warned before about breaches

A barber who cut a footballer's hair in breach of lockdown had been warned by a council before about possible breaches.

Tom Baxter, who was pictured in his North Shields garage with NUFC striker Joelinton, has accepted a prohibition notice from North Tyneside Council.

Newcastle City Council said it had issued him with a warning in November and a prohibition notice in January for his Newcastle salon.

Mr Baxter said he was unaware of the Newcastle issues and will appeal.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "Following complaints about Mr Baxter still operating his High Heaton barbershop a week after national lockdown measures began in November 2020, we wrote to advise that the premises were not permitted to open.

"The letter warned that if Mr Baxter did not cease trading and comply with Covid restrictions designed to protect public health, a prohibition notice would be served."

The council previously said a second warning was issued in December, but it has now said that was incorrect.

Mr Baxter said his salon was closed throughout November and he had installed numerous Covid measures when it reopened under tier three rules in December.

After the picture of Mr Baxter and Joelinton was shared online last week, North Tyneside Council said it would issue a prohibition notice of its own as it had "received complaints about an individual operating a barber service" from a property in the borough "in contravention of Covid regulations".

Northumbria Police previously said it would contact the celebrity stylist and Joelinton and "consider further action".

Newcastle United said it would take "appropriate action", while Mr Baxter said on Saturday he "shouldn't have done it".

Hair salons and barbers in England are currently closed under lockdown regulations.

A police spokesman said: "We are aware of a social media post involving a 24-year-old man and a 35-year-old man who may be in breach of coronavirus restrictions.

"We will be speaking to those involved and consider any further action under the coronavirus legislation."

Joelinton was on the bench for Newcastle's 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

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