Eight smokers ordered to pick up the tab

The prosecutions were brought by Sunderland City Council and the fines imposed at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 5 October 2022.

Magistrates heard that in each incident the defendants were witnessed by Sunderland City Council's neighbourhood enforcement officers dropping a cigarette and then walking away.

All were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for £150, but failed to pay despite several reminder letters, which led to their cases being taken to Magistrates' Court for prosecution.

• Stacy Taylor of Drury Lane, Hendon pleaded guilty to the offence of littering and was subsequently ordered to pay a £60 fine, a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £235
• Michelle Hardy of Pitcairn Road pleaded guilty to littering and was subsequently fined £68, a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £235

• Michael Sanders of Front Street, Hetton-le-Hole - pleaded guilty to the offence of littering and was subsequently fined £150, victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £235

• Liam Graham-Smith of Alexander Court, Sunderland failed to attend court but was proven guilty in his absence and fined £90, victim surcharge of £34 and of £235
• Charlotte Stodard of Wentworth Terrace and Victoria Fletcher of Keighley Avenue also failed to attend court and were found guilty. They were each fined £374, a victim surcharge of £37 and costs of £235
• Kelly Pritchard of Neville Court Washington's case was proven in her absence and she was fined £330, a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £235

• Michael Green of Banbury Avenue - who also failed to provide his details when requested by the officer - was fined £550 in his absence, with a victim surcharge of £55 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 cigarette ends or litter responsibly risks a fixed penalty notice of £150 and can be taken to court if they fail to pay.

"We know that our residents who want to live in a clean green city, so we won't hesitate to take action where we see people littering and damaging the environment. These fines also show that magistrates take a dim view of people who behave irresponsibly in this way."