A Barking resident has been fined over £1,700 after failing to identify the driver of his vehicle who had been seen littering from the car window.

On 1 October 2023, two Environmental Enforcement Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council observed the driver of a white transit van illegally disposing of a cigarette end on Rainham Road South, Dagenham.

Through a DVLA check, the owner of the vehicle was identified as Mr Ionut Roberto Fabina Speriusi of Ben Tillet Close, Barking. On 19 January 2024, he was issued with Driver Identification Notice for the offence.

The Driver Identification Notice required Mr Speriusi to provide the details of the person who was driving the vehicle within 21 days.

However, Mr Speriusi failed to do so, and he was issued with a notice of intended prosecution which awarded him an additional seven days to respond.

This was also ignored, and he was summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court on 28 January.

In his absence Mr Speriusi was ordered to pay a Fine of £660, Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £860.78 and a Victim Surcharge of £264, totalling £1,784.78.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We don’t stand for littering in Barking and Dagenham, and I am glad to see the courts agree with us and have imposed such a big fine – it is a fantastic result.

“I hope this sends a stern warning to anyone else who wants to litter, that if they’re caught, action will be taken.”