Dropped cigarette end costs man over £300

Published on 23 December 2019

Dropping a cigarette end in Rushton Spencer has cost a Buxton man £330.

Anthony Browne, of Town End, Fairfield, was seen dropping litter in a layby on the A523 between Leek and Rushton Spencer on 26 June this year by an enforcement officer from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The Council took the case to court after Mr Browne failed to pay the fixed penalty notice despite receiving two reminder letters.

Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre found him guilty of the offence and fined him £220 with costs of £80 and a victim surcharge of £30.

Councillor Mike Bowen, Cabinet Member for Communities at the Council, said: "Dropping litter, however small the item, shows a lack of respect for others and for our environment. It falls to the Council to clean it up and. Ultimately, the costs are borne by council tax payers in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

"We cannot allow this to go unchallenged which is why we issue fixed penalties and, if necessary, take court action against individuals who drop litter. There really is no excuse for leaving your mess for someone else to clean up and I hope people take heed that we won't stand idly by and allow this to happen. I'd strongly urge people to avoid fines by either putting their rubbish in litter bins or taking it home to dispose of responsibly."