Council uses law to crack downon litter louts through courts

EIGHTEEN people have been prosecuted by Doncaster Council in the space of a month for leaving litter on the town’s streets.

The total cost to the offenders, in fines, costs and the victim surcharge all offenders have to pay, was almost 6,000.

Around seven people a day have been caught dropping litter in Doncaster during the last year and most have paid fixed penalties. But those who refuse to pay can be taken to court and the experience can by substantially more expensive.

The cost of fines imposed by magistrates ranged from 50 to 175, with legal costs ranging between 50 and 224.

On top of those costs, each defendant was ordered to pay a 15 victim surcharge to help compensate victims of crime.

Some ended up being fined less than the 75 cost of the fixed penalty notice, but the added bill for costs and the surcharge meant they were still out of pocket.

Anyone who employed a solicitor to represent them would also be responsible for meeting their own expenses. Some of those prosecuted were left with a court bill in excess of 400.

Coun Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Regulatory/Customer Services, said: “This is a very good result and I am pleased to see that the magistrates continue to support our tough stance on litter louts. All of these people had the opportunity to pay a 75 fixed penalty notice but chose to ignore it.

“Between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 we issued almost 2,500 fixed penalty notices for littering. The message to anyone thinking of dropping litter in Doncaster is clear: don’t do it!

“I am determined that people will take responsibility for their actions and do their bit to keep the borough clean and tidy.”