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I was fined for littering with no evidence against me
Read one man's story about how he was fined for littering with no evidence
I say this as a lifetime anti-litter "freak" – who has regularly castigated friends and acquaintances, and the occasional stranger, for littering.
I'm also a regular "pain" for Kettering Borough Council as I often inform them of overflowing unemptied bins, and "advise" them when their own refuse collectors make a mess in the streets. I also lobbied KBC to install ashtrays on lampposts and litter bins when they brought in the new litter regulations – unsuccessfully, with one exception that I know of. Instead they installed stubber plates which create more of an eyesore around bins.
Councils told to clean up their act on litter click here
What makes the mess I observe on a daily basis, including many car drivers throwing cigarette ends and far worse from their vehicles, worse for me I am a victim of KBC's so-called "enforcement programme.
Last year they issued three "tickets" with a 75 fine alleging that I'd thrown a cigarette end from my vehicle window. (This is something I never do, always extinguishing the tip and putting it in the ashtray). What their so-called litter warden had actually observed was me, perfectly legally, smoking a cigarette with my window open, only flicking ash (which I have ascertained is legal).
I refused to pay their "fines" as I had not committed the offences, which I explained in detail to them. Instead of chasing the many litter bugs evident in Kettering every day, they prosecuted me at Kettering Magistrates Court where I was found guilty by a bench which refused to view the witness statements I had been asked by the previous bench to bring to court, whilst ignoring my questions of why the council had failed to provide any material evidence apart from the lies of their litter warden. This cost me 660 and has ruined both my faith in English democracy and justice, along with my health. (On the few occasions in 35 years of driving I've been issued with a parking ticket, and the one speeding fine, I've paid up – admitting my guilt readily). I have never been taken to court in my life before, and this vindictive prosecution for something I haven't done has shattered my confidence).
I am reminded of this injustice every day as I observe the ceaseless, apparently unchecked, littering of our environment by stupid lazy inconsiderate people.
KBC should be ashamed of their action against me, and their lousy performance on litter in general as highlighted by this report – it only goes to show that they are totally ineffective in their task.
Louis Shaw left this comment:
I am Indebted to Mark Winspear,ET 18 Sept. I will now not flick ash out the window.
As it is the whole fag end goes in ashtray,and self extinguishes.
Perhaps,as you "Made Waves",you got Stitched Up?
Democracy? Do me a Favour.
My Sympathies..
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Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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