Two people were left counting the cost for littering in retail car parks in Craigavon recently.
The pair failed to accept fines for the offences at the time and found themselves with a court summons as a result.
At this month’s Departmental Court sitting at Craigavon Court, a Markethill resident who dropped a cigarette butt at Rushmere Shopping Centre car park, was fined £300 with £102 summons costs, £150 legal costs and £15 offenders levy.
The resident failed to appear in court after opting to contest the Fixed Penalty Notice.
Similarly, a Dungannon resident who failed to respond to a Notice to Obtain Information served upon him by the council in relation to litter thrown from his vehicle at Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon, also failed to appear in court and was fined £200 with £86 summons costs, £100 legal costs and £15 offenders levy.
Both cases were brought to court by officers from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Environmental Health department who have pledged to continue their zero tolerance on littering and dog fouling.
A council spokesperson said: “Perpetrators of environmental crime failing to pay Fixed Penalty fines or not responding to Notices will be pursued by council.
“The level of fines issued this week shows that the courts fully back the actions of council in these matters.
“There is no excuse whatsoever for throwing down litter, dumping waste or failing to clean up dog fouling.”
