Kimberley Lax, of Station Town, Durham, was fined at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 18, after pleading guilty to a littering offence.
The court heard that on July 22, 2024, Lax discarded a cigarette butt in the road at Durham City Bus Station and left it there.
The offence, brought before the court under the Single Justice Procedure, resulted in a fine of £40.
Lax was also ordered to pay a £16 surcharge to fund victim services and £130 in prosecution costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £186.
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A collection order was issued, and the defendant was given until January 15, 2025, to pay the full amount.
The magistrates took Lax’s guilty plea into account when imposing the sentence, which was designed to reflect the importance of maintaining public spaces and the environmental impact of littering.
The case was prosecuted by Durham County Council as part of ongoing efforts to tackle littering and promote cleaner communities.
