A Newham man has been fined after failing to comply with a legal notice requiring him to identify the driver of a vehicle involved in a littering offence.

On 2 July 2024, a male was observed discarding a cigarette from a blue Chevrolet Aveo while stationary at traffic lights on Wood Lane, at the junction with Whalebone Lane South in Dagenham. Following a DVLA request, the registered keeper was identified as Mr Rahim of Heigham Road, London.

A statutory notice under Section 17 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972 was issued to Mr Rahim on 11 July 2024, requiring him to provide the identity of the driver at the time of the offence. Despite a reminder and a Notice of Intended Prosecution sent on 5 August 2024, Mr Rahim failed to respond.

Mr Rahim was summoned to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 25 March 2025. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty at trial on 17 June 2025.

Mr Rahim was fined £120 and ordered to pay a Victim Surcharge of £48 and £1,111.65 in costs to Barking and Dagenham Council, a total of £1,279.65.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We take littering very seriously - we won’t stand for it. The owner of the vehicle had every opportunity to come forward with the details of the driver but refused to do so.

“They now have learned an expensive lesson.”