Litterbugs have been ordered to stump up nearly £2,500 between them for dropping cigarette butts.

In total, eight people were ordered to pay £308 each for failing to pay fixed penalty notices in Medway.

Of these cases, half were for dropping a cigarette butt at the Moto Medway service station.

The offences took place between July and August last year and all cases were heard at Medway Magistrates’ Court on February 4 where they were proved in absence.

Those fined included:

Hayleigh Cross, 41, of Upper Luton Road, Chatham, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in a car park in Courtney Road, Rainham, on August 2, 2024.

Aaron Gove, 44, of The Spires, Strood, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in James Street, Chatham, on July 11, 2024.

Daniel Lulea, 44, of Dersingham Avenue, London, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Medway Services, Rainham on August 22, 2024.

Kaye Marshall, 33, of Victoria Street, Gillingham, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt in High Street, Gillingham, on August 12, 2024.

Samantha Monkhouse, 34, of Cornwallis Avenue, Gillingham, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Twydall Green, Twydall, Gillingham, on August 9, 2024.

Nathan O'Keeffe, 30, of Dean Crescent, Hampton Vale, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Medway Services, Rainham, on August 20, 2024.

Binyomin Schreiber, 28, of Lordship Road, London, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Medway Services, Rainham on July 15, 2024.

Philip Turner, 47, of Bertram Court, Dover, who was ordered to pay £308 after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice after they were seen dropping a cigarette butt at Medway Services, Rainham on July 19, 2024.

Cllr Alex Paterson, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for highways, enforcement and community safety, said: “We will not tolerate littering in Medway, and as these recent court results show we take it seriously and will always hold people accountable and follow-up with prosecution where possible.

“The vast majority of people who live in and visit Medway do the right thing and tidy up after themselves, but it is important that the minority of people that don’t know that they will face consequences if they are caught.”

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows for authorised officers to issue fixed penalty notices on any land the public has access to. To report littering in Medway click here.

Medway Council has contracted litter enforcement agents patrol across the Towns, including in the area’s high streets, green spaces, supermarket car parks and other areas which have high levels of littering.