Cigarette ends in court

A MAN who dropped a cigarette end in Thornbury High Street has been ordered to pay a total of £558 in fines and costs.

South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted Alex Davis, of Woodruff Close in Gloucester, for littering after he was spotted smoking a cigarette then dropping it in the street by two street enforcement officers last August.

A council spokesperson said: "The officers approached Davis to speak with him and pointed out that he had been observed discarding the cigarette, to which he apologised.

"They explained that because he had committed a littering offence, that they were obliged to issue him with a fixed penalty notice."

When Davis failed to pay the charge of £150 - with a 50% discount if paid within ten days - he was taken to court.

He failed to attend the hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court in January and was found guilty of littering in his absence.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £220, along with £250 in costs and a £88 victim surcharge.

Council cabinet member Rachael Hunt said: "Cigarette ends are unsightly, and it can take between 18 months and 10 years for their component parts to decompose. Smokers are encouraged to dispose of their smoking litter in the bins provided or take it home with them."

Littering and other anti-social offences can be reported by visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/report.

Gardener

He said: “The money is not important, it’s a small amount when you are trying to find a dog who is like a member of your family.

"We love our pets and hope telling our story can prevent anyone else going through this.

"It is bad enough losing a pet, but the scammers make it worse. Some people cannot afford this sort of money but will pay it because it offers hope.

"These people are callous and ruthless and have no feelings or concern for the people they are harming."