Brierfield woman’s £100 fine for dropped cigarette

Saskie Kockova, of Garden Street, failed to appear at Reedley Magistrates’ Court and the case was proved in her absence.

Kockova (36) was ordered to pay a total of £550 for an offence which happened on September 23rd.

A member of Pendle Council’s Environmental Crime Team was on duty in Heyhead Park, Brierfield, when he saw Ms Kockova walking her dog.

He witnessed her smoking and then dropping her cigarette end in a grassed area of the park.

The officer spoke to Ms Kockova and reported her for littering.

She was later issued with a £75 Fixed Penalty Notice through the post.

However, despite receiving a written reminder from the council, she failed to pay the fine and was subsequently taken to court.

Ms Kockova failed to appear in Reedley Magistrates’ Court on January 9th and the case was heard in her absence.

The magistrates found her guilty and fined her £400 and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £110 and a £40 victim surcharge.

Coun. John David, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “The steep fine for this littering offence reflects the fact that Ms Kockova did not pay the fixed penalty notice, nor did she acknowledge the summons by turning up to court.

“Pendle Council takes seriously offences of littering, fly tipping and dog fouling and has a track record of taking action against offenders”.

To report anyone seen committing such an environmental crime, call 661743, fill in a form at www.pendle.gov.uk/forms or use the In My Area section of the council’s website.