A Coleraine man has been fined £200 after accepting a littering offence arising from an incident at Strand Road in one of the first convictions of this type since Causeway Coast & Glens appointed 3GS UK Limited as environmental enforcement officers.
John McVicker, of Quickthorn Place, Coleraine, case appeared before District Judge Peter King at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 6. He was ordered to pay a total of £347, comprising the £200 fine, £132 in council and summons costs and a £15 offender levy.
The case related to an incident on February 18 this year, when a environmental enforcement officer observed McVicker dropping a cigarette on the ground at Strand Road, the court heard.
A lawyer representing the council said the officer saw the cigarette being dropped from a vehicle parked in a disabled bay close to a fast-food outlet. The vehicle was not displaying a disabled badge, although no parking charge was before the court.
When the officer approached, McVicker, who was sitting in the passenger seat, denied throwing the cigarette onto the ground.
The council lawyer said the officer told McVicker that he had witnessed the incident and asked him to provide his name.
The officer then attempted to obtain the passenger’s identity from the driver. McVicker claimed the driver did not know him and had only just picked him up, while the driver made no comment.
After the officer said he would obtain the relevant information through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, McVicker repeatedly said, “Bye-bye” as the officer walked away, the court was told.
McVicker subsequently got out of the vehicle and picked up the cigarette butt from the ground beside it.
The council made enquiries with the DVLA to identify the vehicle’s registered owner. An Article 20 notice was then issued requiring the owner to identify the person involved.
A response identified McVicker and provided his address. Following further enquiries, the officer was satisfied the information matched the identity of the passenger with whom he had spoken.
A £200 fixed penalty notice was issued on April 14, with the amount reduced to £150 if it was paid within the prescribed period. The penalty remained unpaid, resulting in the case being brought before the court.
McVicker was also listed as facing a charge of failing to provide his details to a council official. The transcript did not record a separate finding or sentence on that allegation.
Defence solicitor Garrett Green said there had initially been issues concerning the case, but discussions had taken place with the council’s lawyer about resolving it.
“In any event, I had helpful discussions with my friend concerning the resolution of the case, and the littering offence is accepted,” Mr Green said.
Judge King said he would take that acceptance into account by keeping the fine at the same level as the original fixed penalty.
“The fine is £200,” the judge said, adding that the costs would significantly increase the total amount payable.