Callum Scott Brown, 42 years, of Dorney Wood Road, Burnham pleaded guilty at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 4th April 2012 to dropping litter from his car on Park Lane, Burnham.
The court heard that on 20th August 2011 Mr Brown stopped his car for a time in a lay-by on Park Lane where he discarded a cigarette butt and food wrapping from the car window. He was caught on a hidden camera which was deployed as part of the Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire’s ‘Illegal Dumping Costs’ campaign against fly-tipping.

The Magistrates fined Mr Brown £300 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £1,202. A victim surcharge of £15 was also levied – a total to pay of £1,517.

When interviewed, he admitted that he had deposited the items. He explained that he had been working abroad and had noticed old sandwich packaging in the car which he had not driven for months. Finding it full of maggots, he discarded it from the vehicle immediately and without thinking. He said he did smoke a cigarette in the area, but did not remember discarding the cigarette butt.

South Bucks District Councillor Bill Lidgate, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Chairman of the Joint Waste Committee says ‘Littering is an extremely anti social, expensive and potentially dangerous offence. Anti social because it looks awful, expensive because the costs run into millions to clear it up, and it’s dangerous for the staff that have to clear it up often alongside busy roads.’

He added, ‘Throwing litter on our roads is an unacceptable way to behave and the level of fine imposed should make litterers think twice in future. South Bucks District Council will continue to actively support the prosecution of those caught littering in our area.’

If a person sees anyone dumping waste illegally in Buckinghamshire, they can report it on the illegal dumping reporting hotline on 0845 330 1856.