Dropping cigarette butts has landed at least eight people with hefty fines in Hounslow .

The litter louts who could have settled the fine for £65 saw their case taken to court by Hounslow council and now face a staggering £500 bill.

Initial £80 fines will be reduced to £65 if paid within 10 days.

Instead the charge was increased to £220 by order of magistrates at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on December 19, 2016.

On top of this they each have to pay court costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £30 bringing the total fine to £500 each.

Ealing Magistrates Court

The following people were ordered to pay £500 in their absence and collection orders were issued to:

  • Brendan Patrick Courtney, Lampton Road, London.
  • Chloe Dawson, Alliance Road, Hounslow, Middlesex.
  • Thomas Matthew Donlon, 40 Calder Road, Leicester, Leiceste.
  • Hristo Koemdzhiev, Campion Road, Isleworth, Middlesex.
  • Goman Krisztian, Raccoon Way, Hounslow, London.
  • Samantha Phuprate, Stonewell Road, Ashford, London.
  • Beata Magdalena Szalla, 53 Spring Grove Crescent, Hounslow, Middlesex.
  • Sebastian Marcin Zarebski, Orchard Avenue, Hounslow, London.

Two others pleaded guilty by post.

Chantal Scarrott of North Street, Isleworth, and Lisa Marney, were both fined £80, costs of £100 and victim surcharge of £30. A collection order was made.

Six prosecutions were withdrawn after following those responsible clearing their fine before the court date.

Councillor Sue Sampson, cabinet member for community protection at Hounslow Council, said: “If you receive your fine, pay it, simple as that. There is no place in our borough for people who think dropping litter is ok - it is not.

“If you think ignoring your fine will mean we forget about it, then think again as we won’t.

"If you don’t want to pay a fine, then don’t drop your litter.

"We want to stamp out those who are blighting our communities and making resident’s lives a misery by being litter nuisances."

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