Published: 04 November 2020
From: Community
An ex-ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ resident has pleaded guilty to giving false information to a Community Warden, after being caught littering.
ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council successfully prosecuted ex-ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ resident, Natalie Bunting of Redehall Road, Horley under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, for providing a false or inaccurate name or address and non-payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).
Mrs Bunting was stopped in the town centre in August 2019 by a Warden, who witnessed her throwing a cigarette butt onto the floor. She was issued with an FPN and asked for her name and address details.
Due to non-payment of the FPN, a summons was issued by the council but was returned as undeliverable. At this point the council did not know if Mrs Bunting had given a false name as well as a false address.
A thorough enquiry led by the council’s Investigations Team, established that she had in fact given her real name but a previous address. Mrs Bunting was then interviewed and admitted to giving a false address, but stated she did so because she didn’t know if the Warden was who he said he was, despite him wearing the uniform.
Mrs Bunting received a six month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay towards the councils costs.
This is a great result for the council and serves as a warning to all potential litterers. Littering puts animals and wildlife at risk, it looks awful, and costs taxpayers’ money to resolve. The council will always take a zero-tolerance approach to littering. We all have a responsibility to look after this town as residents and visitors.
Councillor Peter Lamb
Leader of the Council
ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council
The Community Wardens patrol the whole of ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ and will issue an FPN to anyone they see dropping litter.
The councils Investigation team will investigate all aspects of fraud and criminal activity in ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾. They can be contacted for free and in confidence by emailing investigations@crawley.gov.uk
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