Smoker, 53, told to cough up £422 after throwing down cigarette butt in street

A smoker who threw down a cigarette butt in a street was hauled before court and told to cough up over £400 for his deed.

Robert Jones, 53, chucked down the butt in Above Bar Street in Southampton on June 7 and left it there – landing him a date at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court. However, Jones failed to show up – with the case proved in his absence.

READ NOW: Morning raid

Jones was prosecuted by Southampton City Council under the Environmental Protection Act. Details from court papers stated: ‘(You) threw down, dropped or otherwise

Portsmouth Magistrates' Court               Picture: Chris Moorhouseplaceholder image
Portsmouth Magistrates' Court Picture: Chris Moorhouse

deposited litter, namely cigarette butt and left it in Above Bar Street.’

Jones, of Hinton Crescent, Southampton, was fined £220, told to pay costs of £168.75 and a surcharge of £34. It left the smoker having to stump up a total of £422.75 for his act.

For all the latest news, traffic and travel, what’s on, Pompey, sport and breaking stories visit The News’s website.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice