Discarded Coke can costs litterbug £150

A man who was ordered to pay £150 for leaving an empty Coke can on a bollard in the Black Country today welcomed his punishment and vowed to never litter again.

Michael Ryman, of Throne Road in Rowley Regis, told the Express & Star it was a fair cop and he deserved to be fined. The 20-year-old appeared at West Bromwich Magistrates Court yesterday, when more than £1,000 was dished out in littering fines.

Ryman was summoned to court after failing to pay his initial fine for the offence in High Street.

At yesterday's hearing, he pleaded guilty to littering and was fined £35, made to pay £100 prosecution costs and a £15 surcharge.

He said: "The sentence was fair. I wish I had picked the can up, but what's done is done. I've learnt my lesson. It has taught me never to do it again."

Five other defendants were also sentenced for dropping cigarette butts.

James Holding, aged 21, of Wood Lane in West Bromwich, who also pleaded guilty to giving a false name to the council warden who saw him commit the offence in High Street, received a £75 fine, £150 costs and a £15 surcharge.

Akhtar Khan, 30, of Cordley Street,West Bromwich, was given an £85 fine, made to pay £203 costs and a £15 surcharge after also littering in High Street.

Daniel Fletcher, 19, of Essex Avenue in Hatley Heath, admitted littering at West Bromwich Bus Station in January and was fined £80, £203 costs and given a £15 surcharge.

Magistrates dealt with Tipton residents Emil Kowaski, 31, of Geneva Road, and Carol Jones, 31, of St Marks Road, in their absence.

Kowaski was fined £85 and Jones £100. They were each ordered to pay £203 costs plus a £15 surcharge.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods, said: "Sandwell people have told us litter is one of their biggest concerns.

"Therefore we are taking a firm stance. I hope these cases send out a strong message that littering in Sandwell will not be tolerated."