Woman Prosecuted for Littering From Vehicle

Released: 04 Sep 2008

A Lancing woman is counting the cost of flicking a cigarette end from her car window after she was successfully prosecuted by Worthing Council for littering.

Joanna Watson, of Western Place, Lancing pleaded guilty to the offence at Worthing Magistrates Court on Friday 29 August.  She did not attend the hearing but pleaded guilty by post.  She was fined £75 and ordered to pay £65 costs.  She was originally offered a fixed penalty notice of £75 to avoid prosecution but now faces a bigger bill and a criminal record for not paying the notice.

The incident, which took place on Brighton Road near the Aquarena, was witnessed by a solicitor formerly employed by Worthing Council.  He saw Mrs Watson throw the cigarette end from the car window while they were queuing in traffic.

Councillor Bryan Turner, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for a Clean and Green Environment, said:

“Those who support a clean and tidy Worthing should welcome the Council’s affirmative action in this case.  While it might seem petty to prosecute someone for a relatively minor action, cigarette ends are the most discarded pieces of litter in the UK and most are dropped without a thought.  By bringing this action the Council wants to reinforce the message that littering is never acceptable.”

“Last year the Council ran a successful campaign to reduce cigarette related litter, which we hope to repeat in the next few weeks.  Through offering a means of disposing cigarette ends in portable pouches and providing additional dedicated bins, the Council was able to reduce cigarette litter by 41% last year.  The Council is now aiming to increase our enforcement activities to target those who spoil our environment with their careless or deliberate actions.”

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