Health9/6/2025•The Guardian
Non-smoker fined £433 for dropping cigarette butt in Manchester
In a case of mistaken identity, a non-smoking teacher from Teddington, Greater London, was fined £433 by the Manchester City Council for allegedly dropping a cigarette butt in the city center. Steve Jones, a 53-year-old, was hundreds of miles away in Maidstone at the time of the alleged offense, arranging a family funeral. Despite having only visited Manchester three times and not being a smoker, Jones was convicted in a magistrates court. The article highlights the apparent disconnect between the council's enforcement actions and the actual facts of the case, raising concerns about the fairness and accuracy of the system.
Source: For the complete article, please visit the original source link below.
