Fines and court costs totalling more than £2,237.00 were ordered by Magistrates in the four cases.

Diana Varley, of Diamond Avenue, Kirkby, was fined £525, and ordered to pay costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £15 after the case against her was proved. The Court heard that she had thrown down a cigarette end on a grassed area in front of the Ashfield District Council offices on Urban Road, in Kirkby. She was not in court and did not enter a plea.

Paul Parker, of Riley Avenue, Sutton, was fined £525, and ordered to pay costs of £532.24 and a victim surcharge of £15. He had thrown down a penalty charge notice for a parking offence on Outram Street in Sutton. He did not attend court to enter a plea and magistrates agreed to deal with the case in his absence.

Adam Varnham of High Hazels Drive, Huthwaite, was found guilty of not taking reasonable measures to transfer domestic waste from his property to an authorised person, when three black bags of waste from his property were found dumped at the side of Mill Lane in Kirkby. He was fined £200, and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Kirkby man Envar Haki Berker, who had previously run Rio's Pizza on Kingsway, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a notice under the Environment Protection Act, requiring him to take out a commercial waste contract.

The Magistrates accepted that Mr Berker, who no longer runs the pizza shop, was in dire financial difficulties. He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to make a £60 contribution towards costs.

Commenting on the four prosecutions, Ashfield District Council’s Head of Neighbourhood Services, Edd deCoverly, said:

"I believe these cases send out a clear message about our commitment to pursue anyone who wilfully damages our environment and breaks the law. We continue to refer cases like these to the courts."