NINE people were summonsed to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 17) after being charged with dropping cigarette ends.
The charges were laid before the court because the defendants had been given tickets by the council’s new private enforcement contractor – dubbed on social media as ‘the fag butt police’ because many feel they are not targeting the more serious littering, but instead hiding in vehicles watching smokers.
The defendants were as follows:
– Rita Allen of Westgate Street in Cardiff
– Nathan Clarke of Sunningdale Drive, Milford Haven
– Elena Coman of Puffin Way, Haverfordwest
– Albert Mlynarski of Graham Street in Newport, Gwent
– Daniel Power of Observatory Avenue in Hakin, Milford Haven
– Mario Rupez of Portfield, Haverfordwest
– Eleri Territt of Richard John Road, Milford Haven
– Paul White of Williamson Street in Pembroke
– Samantha Williams of St Patricks Road in Pembroke Dock
Just two of the defendants charged attended the court. The rest were convicted in absence.
The defendants which showed up to court were fined £150, whilst the ones convicted in absence were fined £200.
All defendants had to pay a £255 prosecution costs and £30 victim surcharge.
The charges brought were under Section 87(1) and (5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The wording on the charge sheet was that each person ‘dropped or otherwise deposited litter, namely a cigarette and left it in a place’.
Defendant Nathan Clark did offer to pick his butt up, but was told that it was too late now he had been clocked, the court heard.
Was the enforcement officer right? A good question for legal scholars would be what would happen if the defendants were seen dropping the cigarette end to stand on it and put it out, but then decided to pick it up and take it home after being clocked by the enforcement officer. Answer in the Herald next week.
