Published: Tuesday, 16th May 2023
Oldham Council has successfully prosecuted a man who dropped a cigarette butt on the ground when he was out on Saddleworth Moor.
In July last year two council enforcement officers witnessed Adnan Ali littering – despite him being only 10 metres away from a bin.
When challenged by the officers the 40-year-old refused to give his details and walked off.
It was only when a nearby police officer attended the scene that Ali, of Stanton Close Reading, Berkshire identified himself.
He was given an on the spot fine for littering but when it wasn’t paid legal proceedings were launched.
He failed to attend Tameside Magistrates Court on 24 April and the matter was heard in his absence. He was fined £440 with £250 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.
Emma Barton, Executive Director for Place and Economic Growth, said: “Dropping a cigarette butt anywhere across the borough can lead to you being fined.
“But discarding one on moorland is reckless and could have had far-reaching consequences.
“Over the last few years, a number of moorland fires are believed to have been started by cigarettes. The impact on wildlife and the environment has been huge.”
The council wants to see people enjoying our countryside but acting responsibly. We are supporters of the #BeMoorAware campaign which urges visitors not to start or bring fires with them.
A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is in place on Saddleworth Moor. Various types of fires, and that includes fireworks and camping stoves, are banned.
In separate cases, two Oldham residents recently found themselves in court after their waste was found dumped near their homes.
Ionel Sorica, 45 of Copster Hill Road was arrested by the police and taken to Tameside Magistrates Court on 28 April after he had failed to attend court on a previous occasion.
He had not paid a duty of care fixed penalty notice (FPN) after his waste was discovered in the alleyway between Lune Street and Copster Hill Road.
He was found guilty and fined £400 plus £40 victim surcharge and £850 costs.
Waste belonging to Moses Ighalo, 49 of Ashton Road was left in an alley behind his house.
He was issued with a FPN which he didn’t pay. On April 27 at Tameside Magistrates he pleaded not guilty to a duty of care offence but was found guilty after a trail and fined £280 plus a £34 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £300 towards costs.
Since Oldham Council started the Don’t Trash Oldham clean-up campaign 524 people have been issued with fines for environmental crimes and other 63 have been successfully prosecuted in court. More cases are pending.
To find out more about the campaign, how to report the dumping of waste and how you can help improve your area visit www.oldham.gov.uk/donttrasholdham
ENDS