Litter bugs ordered to pay hefty fines in court

The huge fines, around £834 each, were issued at Brighton Magistrates Court after the offenders failed to pay an initial £75 fixed penalty notice and then didn’t attend court, despite being summoned.

The council said the offences took place on Junction Road and Boundary Road, Portslade, and Western Road, Brighton.

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It is against the law for people to drop litter, including cigarette butts, in the street, to fly tip or leave dog mess behind in a public space.

Anyone caught littering is given an on-the-spot fine between £75 and £300, depending on the type of offence.

If the fine isn’t paid within 28 days, the case goes to court where the offender will face a higher fine plus costs.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the six defendants didn’t pay within the time or turn up to court. They were fined £440, told to pay £350 costs plus a £44 victim surcharge, totalling £834 each.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “We’re determined to stamp out littering and these convictions show we take this type of crime very seriously.

“We will not sit back and watch our beautiful city become dirty because someone can’t be bothered to find a bin for their cigarette butt or rubbish, or clean up after their dog.

“Nor will we stand aside and let people fly-tipping their unwanted items beside a communal bin, expecting the council to take them away at the expense of other council tax payers.

“We will continue to gather evidence and fine offenders. If they fail or refuse to pay, we will take them to court where they will be handed much bigger fines and a criminal prosecution, as these offenders have found out.”