Seed NewsvineMan helps police in scuffle to stop shop lifter. Police knock his cigarette the ground by accident, but noticing it on the ground immediately fine man for littering. Worse yet, man is embarrassed as people then think he may have been involved in the shoplifting.
A smoker was fined for littering after a cigarette was knocked from his hand during a scuffle between police and shoplifters.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lazaris Michael said he was handed the £60 penalty by a council warden before he could even bend down to pick up the smoke.
The 76-year-old had taken one puff before the cigarette was sent flying when officers tried to apprehend two girls who were fleeing a Boots
He has asked the council to rescind the charge but it has instead threatened to increase it to £80.
'This was utterly embarrassing,' said the retired restaurant manager.
'I've been shopping on this street for half a century and this has never happened before. I never drop litter.
'Before I had a chance to pick it up, the warden asked me to come with him.
'He gave me the fine and didn't give me a chance to explain.
'What was worse is that people then looked at me thinking I was something to do with the shoplifting.'
Thanet council in Kent said it was happy with the way the incident in Margate had been dealt with.
'We take a zero tolerance approach to anyone who drops litter, including cigarette butts and chewing gum,' it said.
'No excuses will be accepted.'
