A WOMAN was ordered to pay £615 – for dropping a cigarette butt.
Dominy Leigh Jesset, of West View in Paddock, was found guilty in her absence at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
On June 19 last year the 22-year-old was seen by a Kirklees Council officer dropping a cigarette end on The Piazza shopping centre.
Carol English, prosecuting for Kirklees Council, told the court anyone seen dropping litter in a public place could be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £75.
Mrs English said a council officer on duty had seen Jesset drop the cigarette and walk off.
The officer stopped Jesset and took down her name and address.
Later a letter was sent out to notify her she must pay a £75 fixed penalty notice.
But the money remained unpaid after 14 days and a reminder letter was sent.
Despite this, the penalty was still not paid and the matter was taken to court where chairman of the magistrates, Malcolm Turner, found Jesset guilty in her absence.
She was fined £175 and ordered to pay £425 costs with a £15 victim surcharge.
