Woman fined for throwing cigarette end out of car window

A woman has been fined £100 for throwing a cigarette end out of a car window in McDonald’s in Cross Hands.

Carmarthen magistrates also ordered Elizabeth Jane McHugh to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The 44-year-old of Penybryn, Ystradgynlais, failed to attend court for the offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the case was proved in absence.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that on July 17th 2012 council environmental enforcement officers were parked in the car park in McDonald’s in Cross Hands when their attention was drawn to two women sitting in a vehicle smoking cigarettes.

The officers saw the two women finish their cigarettes and then throw them out of the window. They approached the vehicle, explained what they had seen and that it was an offence of littering.

One of the officers went over to the front passenger of the car and proceeded to take her details. She was cautioned and asked why she had thrown the cigarette end on the floor to which she replied: “I didn’t think, I normally put it in my cup, we were rushing.”

She was then issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75; however, she failed to pay it despite being sent a reminder letter.

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

“Cigarette ends fall into grates and cracks in the pavement and are very difficult and expensive to clean up as they cannot be removed by normal cleaning methods.

“Council enforcement officers carry out regular patrols across Carmarthenshire and anyone caught dropping litter will be fined.”

Research shows that 83% of litter found on county streets is smoking-related.