A Staffordshire litterbug who threw a cigarette end on to a car park will have to pay out £765 following a council prosecution.

Brian William Grant of Benion Road, Cannock, was seen throwing the rolled-up cigarette on to the McDonald’s car park, in Church Road, by a council environmental health officer on January 14.

Grant failed to pay a fixed penalty notice for littering, leading to the Cannock Chase Council prosecution.

He failed to appear at Stafford Magistrates’ Court and the case was proved in his absence. Grant was fined £350 also ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge, leaving him with a total bill of £765.

Karen Sulway, Cannock Chase Council’s environmental protection manager, said Grant ignored an invitation to give his version of events to officers.

“The costs are for preparing a case for court and a solicitor to prosecute. The magistrates decided on the fine, but the offence has a maximum penalty of £2,500,” she added.

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