Residents fined in court as council clamps down on littering

Residents who dropped litter, ignored £150 penalty notices and failed to appear before magistrates have been left facing court bills of more than £400 each.

The prosecutions were brought by Sunderland City Council and the fines imposed at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.

Magistrates heard that in each incident the defendants were witnessed by City Council neighbourhood wardens dropping cigarettes and a soft drink can and then walking away.

The following were issued with a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice for dropping cigarettes in the city centre, but failed to pay despite several reminder letters, which led to their cases being taken to Magistrates' Court for prosecution.

Trevor Green of Primate Road
Dave Kirkwood of Frederick Street
Simone Robson of Kettering Square
Justin Taylor of Minehead Gardens
Brian Temple of Hill Street, Seaham
Coman Vladut-Vasile of Bell Vue Crescent

These defendants failed to attend South Tyneside Magistrates Court on 2 November, but each was found guilty in absence and fined £440, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and pay costs of £235.

Richard Campbell of Roker Avenue was fined £400, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and costs of £235.

Pauline Race of Elwin Terrace and Ashton Lewis of Boult Terrace attended court and were fined £80, a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £100.

Ian Alsop of East Vines was issued with a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice for dropping a can of Dr Pepper and walking away. He also failed to pay, and his case was referred to Magistrates Court.

His case was proven in absence, and he was also fined £440, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and costs of £235.

Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Claire Rowntree, said: "Anyone who fails to dispose of their litter responsibly risks a fixed penalty notice of £150, and they can be taken to court if they ignore the warning letters and fail to pay up.

"We know that the environment is very important to our residents, so we won't hesitate to take action where we see people acting irresponsibly in this way. Magistrates also take a dim view of smokers who litter our city as can be seen from these fines."