Litter lout blames girlfriend's ex

A man who gave the name and address of his girlfriend's ex-partner after being caught littering has been tracked down and ordered to pay a total of £415.

Samuel Grundy, of Edmund Street in Seedley, Salford, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £215 in costs at Manchester Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to littering and knowingly giving false details to an authorised officer.

Mr Grundy, aged 23, was stopped and questioned by a Manchester City Council Street Warden, after being seen dropping a leaflet he had been given in Market Street on September 7 last year.

The street warden asked Mr Grundy for his details, but instead he gave the name and address of the former partner of his girlfriend, who was on Market Street with him at the time.

Although the ex-partner was originally contacted about the offence, a detailed investigation finally identified Mr Grundy.

Officers used CCTV footage of the Street Warden speaking to Mr Grundy in Market Street in order to track him down.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "If he had given his correct details and simply paid the original fixed penalty notice, that fee would only have been £80 - or £50 if he paid it within 10 days.

"This prosecution sends out a very clear message that anyone who tries giving a false name and address will not get away with it. We will track you down, and you will receive an even greater fine."

Giving false details to an authorised officer, including Street Wardens, Street Environment Managers or NCP Parking Attendants, is an offence which carries a maximum fine of £1,000 if found guilty.

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website www.challengemanchester.co.uk. You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 954 9000.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel: 0161 234 4027