Erewash Borough Council has warned residents that it will continue its tough stance against smokers who fail to dispose of their cigarette litter properly.
The warning comes after one Long Eaton resident failed to pay a fixed penalty fine of £75 and must now pay a £235 bill for throwing his cigarette stub on the pavement.
Barry Wakefield, of Doncaster Grove, was seen dropping the stub on the High Street in Long Eaton town centre by an Erewash Borough Council Warden.
When he failed to pay the on-the-spot fine, his case was taken to South Derbyshire Magistrates Court in Ilkeston on Monday (23rd). Mr Wakefield did not attend court, but magistrates ordered that he must pay a total of £235, which includes court costs, within 28 days.
Councillor Chris Corbett, Leader of Erewash Borough Council, says:
“Some smokers seem to think that cigarette ends aren’t litter – well, they’re wrong and this Council takes a zero-tolerance approach to litter louts. We don’t want to fine people, but this case should serve as a warning to anyone who is seen dropping litter of any sort that they will face an on-the-spot fine and face prosecution if necessary.
“They should remember that we have to clean-up the litter and the costs of this have to be met by Council Tax payers in Erewash.”
