Infuriati Anonymous

A man has been fined £50 for putting rubbish in a bin.

Andy Tierney of Hinckley, Leicestershire was issued the fixed penalty notice for dumping two junk mail letters.

Hinckley and Bosworth Council accused him of committing "an offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Domestic refuse from your property was dumped into a street litter bin the fixed penalty is £50."

The council classes letters as "domestic litter", which should not be dropped in public street bins.
According to The Sun Andy said: "How on earth can they fine me for being tidy? It's absolute madness.

"I could have easily chucked those letters on the ground, but I put them in the bin. What has happened is a joke. The council is barmy. I never thought you could be fined for putting rubbish in a bin - that's what they're there for."

Andy was walking from his house to his car when his postman handed him the junk mail. He opened both letters as he strolled - then dumped them in the bin on a lamppost.

Council officials traced him from the addresses on the envelopes and issued the penalty. The letter threatens Andy with further action and a conviction if he does not pay within 14 days.
Andy insisted: "There's absolutely no way I'm paying up. You get fined for chucking rubbish on the ground. You get fined for chucking rubbish in the bin. So what exactly are you supposed to do?"

A spokesman from the council said: "A fixed penalty notice is served to people who we believe have committed an offence. Our litter bins are there to keep streets tidy, as they enable the public to deposit small amounts of litter. They are not provided for household waste."

Lack of Common Sense Rating: 10.0