Trio who snubbed cigarette stub penalty tickets given whopping �100 fines

THREE people who dropped cigarette butts in the street have been handed massive fines of �100 EACH, ordered to pay �50 costs EACH and EACH told to pay a �15 “victim surcharge”.

The whacking fines were handed out Peterborough magistrates and the fines welcomed by the city county’s regulatory services manager Peter Gell.

“I am pleased the courts have upheld the fines issued by our enforcement officers,” he said.

“People who discard litter in public places damage the appearance of the city’s streets and neighbourhoods and the cost of clearing the litter falls on all council tax payers.

“The city council wants Peterborough to be attractive for residents, workers and visitors and will continue to take action against people who blight our public areas by dropping litter.”

The three in court had failed to pay fixed penalty notices for dropping cigarette butts in the city centre and they were summoned to appear before Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.

Derek Hardy, of Swallowfields Court, Skegness, and Jemma Rudkin of Salix Road, Hampton Hargate, Peterborough, failed to attend court and were both fined �100 with �50 costs and a �15 victim surcharge in their absence.

Robert Ellis of Acer Road, Dogsthorpe, pleaded guilty in court and was fined �100 with �50 costs and �15 victim surcharge.

Dominika Danielesska of Lancaster Way, Market Deeping, did not attend court. The court heard that she had previously raised a defence to the accusation but as she was unable to explain this previous response, the bench dealt with the case as if it was a written plea of guilty. She was fined �75 with costs of �50 and a �15 surcharge.

The offences took place in November 2010. In each case, the offence was spotted by a Peterborough City Council neighbourhood enforcement officer who issued each person with a �75 fixed penalty notice, which is reduced to �50 if paid within 21 days. None of the defendants had paid the penalties within the 28-day deadline.