Motorists are being warned not to throw cigarettes out of their car windows after a man was prosecuted.
Paul Sutton, 39, of Elgar Road, west Hull, threw a cigarette butt from his window as he drove along Freetown Way in Hull.
An officer from the council's Neighbourhood Nuisance Team was driving behind Mr Sutton's vehicle at the junction with Spring Bank West when he dropped a lit cigarette and drove away. Mr Sutton was given the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 and avoid prosecution but he failed to respond initially.When a final letter was sent telling him the matter may now be subject to legal action, he contacted the council and made arrangements to pay the fine. However, he failed to make any of the instalments and the prosecution went ahead.
Hull Magistrates Court fined Mr Sutton £75, £200 costs and £20 victim surcharge bringing the total bill to £295.Councillor John Hewitt, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, said: "It's disappointing that this matter resulted in a prosecution for the owner of the vehicle. If the driver had disposed of the cigarette end in a safe and legal manner, then this situation would have been avoided.
"People must be responsible for their disposing of their litter responsibly so we can all enjoy a clean city."
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