Elton John’s half-brother denies breaking lockdown laws by organising unlicenced music event

Elton John’s half-brother, 54, denies breaking lockdown laws by claiming unlicenced music event in field with 200 revellers was a spiritual gathering and NOT against rules, court hears

  • Geoff Dwight, 54, denies helping organise an unlicensed music event in Wales
  • It is alleged he helped organise the event attended by 200 people on August 29
  • His defence lawyer also argued the gathering was a ‘religious spiritual event’
  • 58-year-old Karen Webb also denied having helped to organise the event

A man accused of breaching coronavirus rules by helping to organise an unlicenced music event claimed it was a religious spiritual gathering, a court heard today. 

Geoff Dwight, 54, of from North Wales, and the half-brother of Elton John, is alleged to have been involved in organising the event in Denbighshire, on August 29, in breach of Welsh health protection regulations which allows for a 30-person limit.

Prosecutor Sarah Marsh said it was attended by more than 200 people and there was body-worn footage from officers.

She added that such an event had been held previously but there were restrictions during the pandemic.

Geoff Dwight, 54, (pictured) was was accused of breaching coronavirus rules by helping to organise an unlicensed music event claimed it was a religious spiritual gathering, a court heard today

Dwight denied the offence at Llandudno magistrates’ court and defence solicitor Alex Fitzgerald said: ‘Mr Dwight says he wasn’t involved in the organisation.’

The lawyer added that it was also argued by the defendants that it was a religious spiritual event.

Mr Fitzgerald said restrictions on churches and chapels weren’t in place at the time.

Karen Webb, 58, also denied the allegation. 

Mr Fitzgerald said the event was advertised on Facebook but then cancelled and she took no further part in organising it.

Geoff Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother (pictured) and leads an alternative lifestyle in the vale of Clwyd where he hand-makes yurts and harps and organises music festivals

Geoff Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother (pictured) and leads an alternative lifestyle in the vale of Clwyd where he hand-makes yurts and harps and organises music festivals

District judge Gwyn Jones granted them unconditional bail until a trial before him in June.

Prosecution brings the potential for an unlimited fine.

 Dwight has barely been in contact with his star brother and leads an alternative lifestyle in the vale of Clwyd where he hand makes yurts and harps and organises music festivals. 

He has previously questioned the portrayal of their father in the movie Rocketman, saying it rewrote family history.

Webb’s Facebook profile shows an interest in ‘psytrance’ music and she insisted in one social media message: ‘We never breached the rules.’