Litter bugs brought to court and fined

Hefty fines were handed down to offenders present at court while charges for failure to reply to Council Notices were adjourned until next month for some defendants present, as well as those who failed to appear in court.

“The court has sent out a strong message that littering is unacceptable,” commented Councillor Ronnie Harkness, Chair of Environmental Services Committee.

“Council has held a strong zero tolerance approach to littering for years and continue to ensure that those who insist on blighting our Borough by dropping their waste are caught and dealt with appropriately.

“It should also be noted that if you don’t reply to Council Notices they won’t just be forgotten – instead you can expect further fines in addition to those for the actual litter offence. We are delighted to see the example sent from court today.”

The following cases were heard:

Michael Maguire, Parkview Drive, Cloughoge, Newry, observed depositing McDonald’s fast food packaging, drinks cartons and ice cream carton from the car window at the Bowling Green car park, Meadow Lane, Portadown on April 4, 2014.

He was fined £250 plus £113 costs and £15 offenders levy.

James Raynolds, Ashgrove Manor, Portadown, was observed throwing a cigarette butt from his car window at two locations in Portadown on February 12, 2014 and March 29, 2014.

He was fined £100 on each charge plus £113 costs and £15 offenders levy.

Two further charges of failing to reply to Notices from the council were adjourned until next month.

John McKenna, Parknasilla Way, Aghagallon, was observed throwing a cigarette from a car window at High Street, Portadown on March 6, 2014.

He was fined £100 plus £113 and £15 offenders levy. A further charge of not replying to a Notice from the council was adjourned until next month.

Mary McAvoy, Carmeen Gardens, Newtownards, was observed throwing down a leaflet in Rushmere Shopping Centre car park on March 12, 2014.

She was fined £100, plus £113 costs and £15 offenders levy. A further charge of not replying to a council Notice was adjourned until next month.

Julie Ann Laverty, Granville Road, Portadown, was observed throwing a cigarette butt on the ground from her car window at Thomas Street, Portadown on March 28.

She was fined £100 plus £113 costs and £15 offender’s levy. A further charge of not replying to a council Notice was adjourned until next month.

James Lavery, Innisfail Walk, Lurgan was the owner of a car whose passenger was observed throwing a cigarette butt from the car window at Portadown Road, Lurgan on March 14, 2014.

He was fined £125 for failure to reply to the Council Notice plus £113 costs.

To report a littering offence, please contact Craigavon Borough Council on 028 3831 2400.