£365 fine for driver who claimed cigarette butt thrown out of car was a spider

A woman was handed a £365 court bill for throwing a cigarette end out of a car window in Sandiacre. Gaynor Lomax had denied dropping litter, claiming it was a spider and not a cigarette butt.

But she failed to attend court for a trial and was found guilty by Southern Derbyshire magistrates in her absence. The offence took place on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre, on August 27. A £100 fine, £250 prosecution costs and a £15 government surcharge were ordered from Lomax, of Hayeswood Road, Stanley Common.


Photo from here.

The incident was spotted by Scott Cartledge, manager of the neighbourhood wardens employed by Erewash Borough Council. Mr Cartledge told the court he was five metres behind Lomax's car when it stopped at traffic lights.

He told the hearing he saw Lomax throw the butt: "I know Miss Lomax said at one point it was a spider thrown. I clearly witnessed it and can guarantee 100% it was not a spider thrown from the vehicle." Lomax, who rang the court and said she was too unwell to attend, said in an earlier letter the discarded object was a spider. But presiding magistrate JP Chris Moss said: "We find the evidence provided by Mr Cartledge was unequivocal and clear."