Man in court for throwing chewing gum from car

A LLANELLI man has been given a 12 month conditional discharge for throwing chewing gum from a car.

Matthew Parry, aged 34, of Emma Street, was convicted of an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Carmarthen magistrates heard that Parry was reported to the council’s environmental enforcement section by a member of the public.

He was seen throwing litter from an open top car as it stopped by traffic lights in Hall Street, Llanelli, on June 19.

The witness took down the car registration umber and passed the information on to the council enforcement officers.

The officers were then able to trace the owner of the vehicle and request the details of the passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offence.

Parry was also ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs by magistrates and a £15 victim surcharge.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Dropping litter is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We are working hard to reduce the amount of litter on our roads and we need to encourage drivers and passengers to take their litter home with them.

“More and more people are reporting offenders to us and we have been able to track them down and fine them thanks to the information provided.”

To report offences fill in the online form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk; alternatively email Direct@Carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234567.