Oldham Council has successfully prosecuted a Sholver woman who failed to pick up a cigarette butt she had discarded.
On June 15 an Environmental Health Enforcement Officer observed Lynette Shaw dropping the litter in Oldham Town Centre. The 35-year-old was issued with an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for littering. This would have been reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days. Despite being sent reminders Ms Shaw did not pay the FPN so legal proceedings were started by the Council. On November 22 at Oldham Magistrates’ Court Ms Shaw of Bunyan Close was fined £80 plus £250 costs with a £15 victim surcharge. She did not attend court and was found guilty in her absence.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Devolved Services, said: “Everyone should clean up after themselves, if they don’t then they should be prepared to face the consequences. Littering is a blight on the Borough and removing rubbish from our streets costs money that could be better used elsewhere.”
