More fines handed out as council cracks down on littering

The prosecutions were brought by Sunderland City Council and the fines imposed at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday 6 April).

Magistrates heard how Environmental Enforcement Officers witnessed a resident discard their cigarette end on the ground at Newbottle Street, Houghton-le-Spring.

The defendant was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £150 for the offence of littering on 10 September 2021 but failed to pay despite several reminder letters.

Paul William Hamilton of Houghton -le - Spring failed to appear in court but the case was proven in absence with a £220 fine awarded, as well as costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £34.

Demi Perry of New Silksworth was also fined for failing to assist with fly-tipping enquiries after bags of waste were found dumped in the rear lane of Somerset Street and Durham Terrace in Silksworth.

Evidence identified amongst the waste suggested it belonged to Miss Perry but despite repeated requests, the defendant failed to cooperate with the council's investigation. She did not attend court and her case was proven in absence.

She was fined £220, costs of £198.00 and a victim surcharge of £34 for failing to assist with an investigation into fly-tipping.

Sandra Mitchell, Assistant Director of Community Resilience at Sunderland City Council, said: "If someone fails to dispose of their rubbish - from a cigarette end to a fly tip - properly and legally, they run the risk of being handed a Fixed Penalty Notice. If they ignore reminders and warning letters, we can and will take court action.

"While we know most Sunderland residents do act responsibly, we are determined to crack down on the minority who spoil our neighbourhoods with littering and fly-tipping."

The desire of residents to see more enforcement action was one of the key things to come out of the City Council's Let's Talk consultation in 2020.

In the last two years, 698 people have received Fixed Penalty Notices for littering in Sunderland, of which 91 have been prosecuted for non-payment.

All the revenue generated from fixed penalty notices, including costs and compensation awarded by the courts, is ploughed back into the service and helps pay towards the costs of cleaning up litter and fly-tipping, keeping highways clean, and enforcement against littering graffiti and fly-posting.