A Chadwell Heath van driver has been landed with a bill of more than £380 after being spotted throwing a cigarette out of a vehicle he was driving.

Phillip Cornell was seen littering by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers, which is an offence under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Cornell, of Rosehatch Avenue in Chadwell Heath, was identified as the driver of the vehicle after a notice was issued to the company who owned the vehicle to provide driver details and he was therefore issued with a fixed penalty notice.

Despite reminders and a notice of intended prosecution being sent, Cornell failed to respond or settle the fine and the case was referred to court.

At Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 13 December, Cornell pleaded guilty and was given a fine of £150, plus ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £34 victim surcharge.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “It might seem a harmless crime in comparison to other things, but the truth littering is a criminal offence.

“Cigarette butts take years to decompose and can have a serious detrimental impact on our environment and wildlife.

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to all grime crime and this case shows that we will take action when necessary. We hope this sends a strong message to other would-be offenders that Barking and Dagenham is not to be used as a dumping ground for litter and rubbish.”