A litterbug has been ordered by a court to pay nearly £470 after dropping a cigarette butt in Gillingham High Street.
David Lockwood, 35, was spotted discarding his cigarette on the pavement outside Greggs Bakers, in Gillingham High Street, by one of Medway Council’s assistant community officers.
Lockwood, of Jeffery Street, Gillingham, told the community officer that he could not afford to pay the fine because he was on benefits. He was offered an extension to pay, but he declined.
Lockwood was fined £200 and ordered to pay £252 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Chairman of the magistrates’ bench Colin Smith told the court: “Just because people are on benefits, doesn’t mean they can commit crime and get away with it. Lockwood could have paid £60, now he has to pay £467.”
If Lockwood had paid the notice immediatly after the offence was committed in December last year,it would have cost £60 if paid within 10 days and £80 if paid within 14 days.