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Gillingham: Van driver Darren Watson, of Sunkist Way, Wallington fined for throwing a tissue out of window

A van driver has been fined more than £200 for lobbing tissues out his window.

Darren Watson, of Sunkist Way, Wallington, threw the rubbish out the driver seat window when he was in Beechings Way, Gillingham in June.

A Medway Council enforcement officer witnessed the littering and sent him a penalty notice.

The driver was fined £220 for throwing a tissue out the window. Pic:istock
The driver was fined £220 for throwing a tissue out the window. Pic:istock

Mr Watson did not respond to the letters

The 33-year-old failed to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on Monday, December 10 and the case was proved in his absence and the 33-year-old was fined £220.

He was also forced to pay £250 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge, bringing the total to £500.

Cllr Jane Chitty, is in charge of anti-litter enforcement
Cllr Jane Chitty, is in charge of anti-litter enforcement

Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Enforcement, Cllr Jane Chitty, said: “Everyone has a responsibility to keep Medway clean and tidy.

"Littering is unacceptable but often there is no way to trace the culprits.

"However, in this case the gentleman was given every opportunity to pay a fixed penalty notice to avoid prosecution but he failed to respond to our letters.”

Any person who is witnessed intentionally dropping, throwing or leaving rubbish, can be issued a £150 fine, or, if prosecuted, could face a fine of up to £2,500.

To report litter visit www.medway.gov.uk/reportlitter.

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