A man from Dagenham who failed to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice for littering has been found guilty in court and ordered to pay hundreds of pounds.

On 23 February this year, Barking and Dagenham Council’s enforcement officers witnessed the driver of a silver transit van drop a cigarette on the floor at the junction of Royal Anglian Way leading to Whalebone Lane South.

Following further investigation, the officers discovered that the vehicle was owned by Mr Archie Potter of Dagenham who admitted that he was the one driving the van at the time of the offence.

Mr Potter was issued with a £150 Fixed Penalty Notice as an opportunity for him to discharge liability from prosecution. However, despite several reminders he failed to pay, and the case went to court.

In his absence, the case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 3 October where he was found guilty. Mr Potter was ordered to pay a fine of £220, costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £250 and a Victim Surcharge of £88, totalling £558.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We won’t stand for anyone making our borough messy, and if we catch you littering or fly-tipping, we will take action. This person has learnt an expensive lesson.”