A WOMAN who was hit with a £405 fine for dropping a cigarette butt in Worcester ignored two warnings from the council before being prosecuted.

Emily Attwood, 21, dropped a cigarette butt in Spring Gardens on August 2 last year and was given two £75 fines by a council enforcement officer - one for littering and another for failing to hand over her personal details.

After failing to pay the fine within the required 28 days, Attwood, of Chatcombe Drive in Worcester, was sent a reminder by the council on August 23 which she ignored and a second reminder on September 6 which she ignored again.

Failing to pay the fine and having ignored both warnings, the city council decided to carry on with prosecuting Attwood and she was summoned to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court on February 8.

Whilst Attwood did not attend in person, she pleaded guilty and apologised to the court.

Magistrates ordered Atwood to pay a fine of £100 for dropping the cigarette butt and £75 for failing to give her name to the enforcement officer.

Both fines were reduced by a third because of her guilty plea.

Attwood also had to pay £275 in court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

A spokesman for the city council said: “Worcester has a strong reputation as one of the cleanest cities in the country and the city council is dedicated to maintaining that reputation.

“We hope this case will make other people think twice before they drop litter on the city’s streets.”

However, some Worcester News readers felt the fine was excessive.

SidSnipe said: “Seems excessive to me.

“She won’t do it again but I still feel for her. £80 to £100 would have been fair.”

And FantasyNews said: “Shame they do not pursue those who let their dogs foul streets with equal vigour.”