A MAN has been fined for dropping a cigarette butt into an open drain.

Christopher Campbell ditched the fag end into a drain near St Nicholas’ Church in Durham Market Place at about 11.10am on Saturday, April 5, Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard today (Monday, October 27).

Unfortunately for him, he was spotted by a Durham County Council neighbourhood warden, who issued him with an £80 fixed penalty notice for littering.

However, the fine remained unpaid, Catherine Burgess, prosecuting, said.

Campbell, of Prince Charles Avenue, Bowburn, County Durham, pleaded guilty to littering, but said there had been no ashtray nearby.

“I accept I put it down an open drain. I explained that to the officer but she wouldn’t listen,” he told the court.

Magistrates issued a £60 fine and ordered the 54-year-old to pay a £20 victim surcharge.