Lee Roberts was originally fined by Ashfield District Council, for dropping the butt onto the path at Healdswood Recreational Ground in Skegby, Sutton-in-Ashfield on 20th January.

After failure to pay the fine, Roberts was due to appear in Mansfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday 23rd June, however, he failed to attend and the case proceeded without him.

The magistrate ruled against Roberts and in his absence, imposed a fine of £525 plus costs which amounted to a total of £874.32.

Residents within the District have highlighted littering and fly-tipping as one of their concerns and Ashfield District Council take this very seriously.

In 2009/2010 there were 10 successful prosecutions for littering offences and eight for fly-tipping. There were also 255 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for environmental offences; 223 for littering, and 32 for other environmental offences.

Enforcement of fly-tipping offence has increased and figures show a positive impact with a 20% reduction in the amount of fly-tipping detected over the last year.

This case highlights that the Council will not tolerate littering of any type.