Five litter bugs have been hit with hefty fines for their messy antics.
The two men and three women have been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds each after being prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
They were initially issued with fixed penalty notices – which are £50 if paid within seven days, after which it rises to £75 and must be paid within 14 days – but each refused to pay, so the council say it took the offenders to court for non-payment of a fixed penalty notice as a last resort.
Chester Magistrates Court imposed fines and costs of up to £521 per person on Thursday (August 11).
Who was fined?
- Peter Halford, 43, of Greenway in Saughall was fined £490.50.
- Forty-two-year-old Stephanie Smith, of Stamford Road in Blacon, faces a bill of £339.80.
- Nikita Baldwin, 26, of Riversdale in Frodsham, was ordered to pay the largest amount, at £521.
- Diane Shaw, 48, of Ewart Street, Saltney Ferry, was fined £505.85.
- And 30-year-old Shane Bright, of Whipcord Lane in Chester, was fined £490.50.
None of the offenders attended court and only Smith entered a plea by post, pleading guilty to the offence.
It costs Cheshire West and Chester Council around £570,000 a year to clear litter in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Northwich.
Cllr Karen Shore, cabinet member for environment, said: “Our Street Care Pledge sets out our commitment to maintain clean and tidy streets across the borough.
“Littering is always considered to be one of the most important issues to our residents.
“We had no option but to issue court proceedings against these people when they refused to pay their initial penalty.
“This follows on from a number of successful prosecutions last year.
“The message is simple - anyone caught dropping litter and who doesn’t pay their penalty will be taken to court and prosecuted.”
