TWO PEOPLE have been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds each after they dropped cigarette butts on the ground.

Stephen Lewis of Seaward Towers, Gosport dropped a cigarette end in the High Street in the the town in April, and was fined a fixed penalty of £75.

When he did not pay, Gosport Borough Council prosecuted him for littering.

Magistrates found the matter proved in the absence of Mr Lewis, who was then made to pay compensation of £75, a fine of £50, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £50.

The Criminal Courts Charge of £150 and a £20 victim surcharge were also added and a collection order made. In total he owes £345 to the Court.

In an unrelated incident, Jane Gumby of Galemoor Avenue threw a cigarette end out of her car window whilst driving along South Street, Gosport in June.

She declined a fixed penalty of £75. so she was also prosecuted her for dropping litter.

Ms Gumby pleaded guilty by post to the offence. She was fined £75 and made to pay prosecution costs of £50.

The Criminal Courts charge of £150 and victim surcharge of £20 were also added and a collection order made. Ms Gumby owes the Court £295 in total.

Cllr Graham Burgess, Chairman of Gosport Borough Council’s Community Board, said: “We want people to take a pride in where they live and to refrain from littering and disposing of rubbish on the streets, pavements and alleyways of our town.

“In order to stop the unsightly littering and fly- tipping, our Enforcement Team patrol seven days a week and those caught will be fined or taken to Court to reimburse for their appalling behaviour.”