No Butts for Litter Fine
During the afternoon of January 10th 2008, East Staffordshire Borough Council Community Wardens were on patrol when they witnessed Georgina Dean of Yoxall, drop a cigarette end onto the ground - an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Miss Dean was issued with a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice and would have been reduced to £50 if payment had been received to the Council within 14 days.
Payment of the Fixed Penalty by the recipient discharges their liability to conviction for the offence for which the Fixed Penalty Notice was issued. It does not constitute an admission of guilt but reduces the possibility of the creation of a criminal record.
Investigations by the Enforcement Team discovered Miss Dean had given a false address. Her correct address was traced and a further Fixed Penalty was issued there. No payment was received and a letter was sent to Miss Dean, advising that if she did not pay the fine within the required timescales, the matter would be referred to the Council's Legal Team for prosecution of the offence.
Burton Magistrates found Miss Dean guilty of the offence on Monday, June 2nd. Miss Dean was fined £75 for the littering offence, £100 for providing false information and ordered to pay £60 costs.
"Litter continues to be one of the key concerns raised within neighbourhoods and the communities that live within them," said Councillor Malcolm Barrett, Deputy Leader for Environment.
"This case continues to show the Council's commitment to creating a cleaner, safer, happier and healthier environment for our population to live and work.
"It sends a clear message that if you commit an environmental crime and fail to pay or give false information when issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, you could face legal action and a criminal record."
It is an offence to drop, throw or deposit litter (including cigarette ends and chewing gum) in a public place and the maximum fine for the offence of littering is £2500 with a possible prison sentence of up to three months.
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