Woman who dropped cigarette end fined by court

A WOMAN who dropped a cigarette end on the pavement near Llanelli’s Asda supermarket has been fined £100 by magistrates.

Kayleigh Jane Thomas, aged 21, of Brynymor, Five Roads, was also ordered to pay £150 towards prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

The defendant failed to attend Carmarthen Magistrates Court and the case was proven in her absence.

The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were on patrol near Asda and the St Elli Shopping Centre in November last year following complaints on the amount of cigarette ends discarded in the area.

A woman was seen dropping a cigarette onto the pavement. The officers approached her explaining that it was an offence and she was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75.

However, no payment was ever received, despite a reminder letter being sent.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dropping litter is a criminal offence. We have received a number of complaints about smoking-related litter at this location so hopefully this case will act as a warning to others. Officers will continue to patrol the area.”