A Newton Aycliffe woman was one of six litterbugs who have been ordered to pay a total of £2,000 in fines and legal costs after being found guilty of littering the streets of County Durham.
The six defendants were initially handed Fixed Penalty Notices by Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens, but failed to pay.
The defendants, none of which appeared in court, included Samantha Kilpatrick, 29, of Biscop Crescent, Newton Aycliffe.
The others were Seven Bowes, 29, of Edward Terrace, New Kyo, Stanley; Michael Cronin, 39, of Gray Terrace, New Kyo, Stanley; Sophie Hodgson, 26, of Elizabeth Street, Stanley; William Warwick, 60, of Church Street, Wheatley Hill; and Karl Wilkinson, 46, of Park Road, Stanley.
Magistrates sitting at Newton Ayclifee Magistrates court ordered the defendants to pay a £200 fine, £130 in legal costs, and a £30 victim surcharge; with the exception of Sophie Hodgson, who was given a £40 fine and ordered to pay £130 in legal costs and a £30 victim surcharge after she submitted an early guilty plea by post.
Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We know that littering is a concern for residents across the county, and these latest prosecutions help demonstrate our continued commitment to cracking down on the problem.
“Most cases of littering are dealt with by way of a Fixed Penalty Notice, but in the event of non-payment we are prepared to take people who litter to court.
“It really does take very little effort to dispose of your litter responsibly but the consequences of not doing so can be very costly.”
