A man who dropped a cigarette end in Carmarthen town centre has been fined £100 plus court costs.
Iwan Reeves failed to attend Carmarthen Magistrates Court and was convicted in absence to an offence contrary to Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The court heard that in January this year Rees, aged 28, of Rheidol Terrace, Aberystwyth, was seen by council environmental enforcement officers dropping a cigarette end in Hall Street.
The officers approached Reeves explaining that it was offence and he was issued with a fixed penalty notice for £75.
However, he failed to pay it despite a reminder letter being sent explaining that if he didn’t pay then the matter would be referred to the council’s legal department for prosecution in court.
As well as the £100 fine, Reeves was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £225.11 and a £20 victim surcharge.
Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said he hoped this case would serve as a warning to others.
“Cigarette ends are one of the most common types of litter found on our streets. Not only are they unsightly, but they are difficult and expensive to clean up as they fall into grates and cracks in the pavement and cannot be removed by normal cleaning methods,” he added.
Figures show that around 80% of litter found on Carmarthenshire streets is smoking-related.
