More than £800 worth of fines have been issued to two men who were caught dropping litter in the Dover area.

David Starek, 29, of Tower Hamlets Road was seen discarding a cigarette in the visitors’ car park at the DDC offices in Whitfield, December 4 last year.

He was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act. When no payment was received, the council took the case to court.

Mr Starek didn’t enter a plea and in his absence was found guilty and fined £400 for littering, with a £40 victim surcharge and costs of £150.

The high fine was given by the Magistrates as they were of an opinion that Mr Starek had avoided being caught.

A 19-year-old Gary Beer, of Dour Street had pleaded guilty by post after he was caught dropping a cigarette in Biggin Street on December 29 last year. The council again took him to court after he failed to pay his FPN.

He was fined £100 along with a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £150.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC portfolio holder for environment and waste, said: “Cigarette butts are a major cause of litter on our streets and in public places.

“Residents consistently tell us that they want more rigorous enforcement and we will not hesitate to take action when, and where ever our officers witness offences.”