Man in court for litter offence outside Nando’s

A MAN has been prosecuted for dropping a cigarette end outside Nando’s in Llanelli.

Richard David Lee was seen dropping a cigarette end onto the ground near the staff entrance to Nando’s on June 7 this year by council environmental enforcement officers.

He was then seen entering the premises. The officers made inquiries and identified the man, who was checking the fire alarm at the restaurant.

He was issued with a fixed penalty notice for the offence, but failed to pay it.

Lee, aged 41, of The Bagers, St Georges, Weston Super Mare, was convicted in absence to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

He was fined £75 by Carmarthen magistrates and ordered to pay £211.62 prosecution costs as well as a £20 victim surcharge.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said he hoped the case would act as a warning to others.

He said: “We do not want to fine people for dropping litter, but we have no choice if they ignore our warnings and continue to break the law in this way.

“We want to keep Carmarthenshire clean and safe for residents and visitors, and litter gives a bad impression.

“We receive a number of complaints about workers dropping cigarette ends when they are on their break, hopefully this will remind them to use a bin.”