A motorist who threw a cigarette butt out of his car window, has received a hefty fine from magistrates after refusing to pay a fixed penalty notice of £80.

Paul Reilly was spotted flicking his butt out of his car window by one of Medway Council’s safer communities officers in Church Street, Gillingham, in October last year.

Reilly, of Abbots Way, Slough, was issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80 but he never paid it so the case went before Medway magistrates earlier this week .

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £70 costs and a £15 surcharge.

If Reilly had paid the fixed penalty notice within 10 days of being issued with it, he would have only had to pay £60, as the penalty is reduced if paid promptly.

Reilly did not turn up at court and he was found guilty in his absence.

Andy McGrath, Medway Council’s assistant director for frontline services, said: “These prosecutions send a clear message that Medway Council will not tolerate littering of any kind and we will take whatever action is needed to tackle the issue.”

“Littering is anti-social behaviour that damages the environment and also wastes public money in the cost of clearing up afterwards.”