fine for dropping a cigarette stub - what can he do?

[joko]

Hi

on the 13th may, my boyfriend dropped his cigarette butt, but picked it up immediately...however two volunteer type community support officers saw him and came over, and took his details...he has now received a letter about a fine of �75 for leaving litter

he did not leave it... and he claims he accidentally dropped it and the reason he picked it up immediately was because he hadnt finished smoking it

he claims he has witnesses to support this

what should he do to appeal it? he feels didnt do what they are claiming.

thanks

PLEASE stick to just answering my question - no comments or lectures on the badness of littering or smoking - he and I both know they are wrong...

[another-view]

But he DID do what they are claiming. You know as well as I do that no-one drops a ciggy then picks it up because they hadn't finished smoking it.

I know times are hard but come on....

[redman41]

Write back to the Authority who issued you with the letter informing you of the fine, whether it be the local Council or Police and explain that you wish to appeal against the decision which is your right to do so !

[R1Geezer]

They are not judge and jury he could plead not guilty, there is an avenue on the ticket for that. However this sounds like bull to me. It's standard practice for smokers to believe they are exempt from littering. What have they got against bins? Where I work the smoking area has a huge bin but the floor is still covered in butts, I don't get it.

[craft1948]

I read about someone being fined for flicking cigarette ASH out of a car window.............where was the evidence?

[joko]

thanks redman

another view...you dont know him...he most certainly would pick it up ...besides why would he lie to me about it?

the point im making is he did not leave it there...i dont know if that makes a difference...but he did not walk away from it and have to be told to pick it up by anyone...

[paraffin]

Hi joko:

Did this happen where there may have been CCTV cameras? For if it happened as you say, it's possible that the cameras could be used to prove his side of the story.

Plus, if as you say he has witnesses, as long as they're of the same opinion as him, that could also work in his favour.

[another-view]

Unless these witnesses happen to be his mates.

[joko]

apparently they asked for his name an address but he asked why and asked if they were going to fine him, given that he ahd picked it up etc...and they said no, there would be no fine just a letter about littering etc...whats that all about?

have they just lied to get his address?

[mccfluff]

a rep here got a fine for throwing a ciggy butt out of her car window, she asked for evidence and they just sent her a picture of her car - no cig being thrown was evident in the pic and when she went to court it was ruled that the officers word was good enough and she had to pay the fine and costs.