Gwendraeth man fined for litter
A Gwendraeth Valley man has been fined £100 and ordered to pay court costs of £150 for throwing litter.
Daniel Mark Barlow was convicted in his absence for an offence contrary to section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol at the Cross Hands Business Park when their attention was drawn to a car containing two males which was reversing out of a parking bay.
The officers saw a brown McDonald’s take-away food bag on the ground near the passenger side of the vehicle.
They spoke to the passenger who admitted the litter was his and when asked why he did it, he replied: “I don't know; I was too lazy to get out and put it in the bin I suppose.”
Barlow, aged 21, of Brynlluan, Gorslas, was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75; however, he failed to pay it.
The council now hopes this case will act as a warning to others.
Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Dropping litter is against the law, whether it is discarding rubbish from a vehicle, throwing cigarette ends or spitting out chewing gum.
“If there are no bins nearby, then take your rubbish home with you to dispose of. We do not want to fine people but we are determined to clean up the county for both residents and visitors.”
Environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county and anyone caught dropping litter can be fined up to £2,500.
Daniel Mark Barlow was convicted in his absence for an offence contrary to section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.
The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.
The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement officers were on patrol at the Cross Hands Business Park when their attention was drawn to a car containing two males which was reversing out of a parking bay.
The officers saw a brown McDonald’s take-away food bag on the ground near the passenger side of the vehicle.
They spoke to the passenger who admitted the litter was his and when asked why he did it, he replied: “I don't know; I was too lazy to get out and put it in the bin I suppose.”
Barlow, aged 21, of Brynlluan, Gorslas, was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75; however, he failed to pay it.
The council now hopes this case will act as a warning to others.
Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Philip Hughes said: “Dropping litter is against the law, whether it is discarding rubbish from a vehicle, throwing cigarette ends or spitting out chewing gum.
“If there are no bins nearby, then take your rubbish home with you to dispose of. We do not want to fine people but we are determined to clean up the county for both residents and visitors.”
Environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county and anyone caught dropping litter can be fined up to £2,500.
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