A Cornwall resident has been found guilty of a littering offence and ordered to pay £1,942 in fines and court costs.
Dean Roberts aged 36 from Camborne was issued a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) which he threw on the ground, resulting in him being issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering.
In November 2023, an officer from Cornwall Council Civil Parking Enforcement team was patrolling the area around Trevithick School, following resident concerns of poor parking causing a safety hazard to children leaving the school.
A number of tickets were issued to illegally parked vehicles including to Roberts. On returning to his car, he swore at the officer, took the ticket from the vehicle and threw it to the floor. He was asked to pick it up but refused, continued to use abusive language, and then drove off.
After reviewing the evidence, Cornwall Council’s Environmental Crime officer was satisfied that an offence had been committed under Environmental Protection Act 1990. In line with the Council’s procedures, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued to Roberts for littering.
Anyone who is issued with an FPN is given the opportunity to pay £150 within 14 days to avoid prosecution. Roberts decided not to pay the FPN.
The matter was dealt with at Truro Magistrates’ Court on 29 May 2024. Roberts did not attend court and the magistrates dealt with the case in his absence.
After hearing the evidence, they found Roberts guilty under section 87(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and he received a £660 fine, was ordered to pay the Council’s £1,018 costs and a £264 victim surcharge making a total of £1942.
Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for Environment at Cornwall Council, said:
“This man’s behaviour was totally unacceptable.
“When people behave in this way and deliberately litter on our streets, we will not hesitate to take action. I hope this case acts as an example to others who fail to respect our neighbourhoods.”
