Eight litter louts have been ordered to pay a massive £876 each for dropping rubbish in Plymouth.
The group had their cases decided by Plymouth Magistrates Court and were all found guilty in their absence.
The offenders were given fixed penalty notices by the Council’s environmental enforcement officers, who witnessed them dropping litter on the city’s streets.
However, despite several reminders, the fixed penalty notices remained unpaid, resulting in a summons to court.
The fines of £660, £150 costs and a victim surcharge of £66 must now be paid within 28 days. All eight defendants will now carry a criminal record.
Meanwhile, a man who refused to pick up after his dog, has received a heavy penalty from magistrates.
The 21-year-old was found guilty of failing to clean up after his dog, in breach of the Public Space Protection Order, in his absence at Plymouth Magistrates Court.
The court heard how a member of the public had witnessed him knowingly walk away from mess his dog had made.
The witness offered him a bag to pick up the poo but this was refused and so they followed the defendant to his address and attempted to confront him.
They later reported the incident to the Council and because they were able to identify him, a fixed penalty notice for £100 was issued.
However, despite many reminders, the FPN went unpaid and he was summoned to appear before the courts.
He was fined £440, made to pay £401 costs as well as a £44 victim surcharge.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member for Customer Focus and Community Safety, said: “One of the biggest complaints we get from residents is about dog fouling. It’s disgusting, it is not acceptable and we won’t tolerate it.
“We will not hesitate to pursue people who show a lack of respect for this city and its residents and we welcome the firm hand shown by the magistrates.”
Dog fouling is prohibited in Plymouth by a city-wide Public Space Protection Order. The order also covers dog control.
Have you spotted someone let their dog foul? Can you identify them? Then report it to us: www.plymouth.gov.uk/dogcontrol