Fly-tipping is a big problem in many parts of the country. Those found guilty of littering public places, people's gardens, and the countryside deserve to be punished. Not only does fly-tipping create an eyesore and a potential health hazard, it also means taxpayers' cash is being used to clear up someone else's mess.
Hull City Council though seems to have taken leave of its senses as it prepares to prosecute one of its residents, Greba Lilly. Mrs Lilly's crime was to place some bags of clothes destined for charity next to a full charity bin in a local supermarket car park. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong as there were other bags there. She thought she was being a good citizen. Unfortunately for Mrs Lilly, she had accidentally left some personal papers with the clothes, and the next she knew about the matter was when a letter arrived from Hull City Council ordering her to attend an interview. If the council does not find in her favour following the interview, she could be handed a fixed penalty fine. Her MP, Karl Turner had this to say:
I couldn't agree more with Mr Turner. Not only is this giving Mrs Lilly sleepless nights, at a time when every penny counts, the council cannot afford to waste £12,000 of taxpayers' money. The only crumb of comfort for her is that Mr Turner has arranged for a solicitor to be present during her interview, and if the council insists on prosecuting her, he will represent her in court, completely free of charge.
Here's hoping it doesn't come to that, but you do have to wonder what goes through the minds of some council officials. If they have nothing better to do with their time, perhaps they should look for alternative employment? Or perhaps they should be shown the door first?
Fly-tipping is a big problem in many parts of the country. Those found guilty of littering public places, people's gardens, and the countryside deserve to be punished. Not only does fly-tipping create an eyesore and a potential health hazard, it also means taxpayers' cash is being used to clear up someone else's mess.
Hull City Council though seems to have taken leave of its senses as it prepares to prosecute one of its residents, Greba Lilly. Mrs Lilly's crime was to place some bags of clothes destined for charity next to a full charity bin in a local supermarket car park. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong as there were other bags there. She thought she was being a good citizen. Unfortunately for Mrs Lilly, she had accidentally left some personal papers with the clothes, and the next she knew about the matter was when a letter arrived from Hull City Council ordering her to attend an interview. If the council does not find in her favour following the interview, she could be handed a fixed penalty fine. Her MP, Karl Turner had this to say:
I couldn't agree more with Mr Turner. Not only is this giving Mrs Lilly sleepless nights, at a time when every penny counts, the council cannot afford to waste £12,000 of taxpayers' money. The only crumb of comfort for her is that Mr Turner has arranged for a solicitor to be present during her interview, and if the council insists on prosecuting her, he will represent her in court, completely free of charge.
Here's hoping it doesn't come to that, but you do have to wonder what goes through the minds of some council officials. If they have nothing better to do with their time, perhaps they should look for alternative employment? Or perhaps they should be shown the door first?
Hull City Council though seems to have taken leave of its senses as it prepares to prosecute one of its residents, Greba Lilly. Mrs Lilly's crime was to place some bags of clothes destined for charity next to a full charity bin in a local supermarket car park. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong as there were other bags there. She thought she was being a good citizen. Unfortunately for Mrs Lilly, she had accidentally left some personal papers with the clothes, and the next she knew about the matter was when a letter arrived from Hull City Council ordering her to attend an interview. If the council does not find in her favour following the interview, she could be handed a fixed penalty fine. Her MP, Karl Turner had this to say:
I reckon it will cost the council £12,000 to prosecute this case and the most she could possibly get is an absolute discharge, so it’s completely bonkers.
I couldn't agree more with Mr Turner. Not only is this giving Mrs Lilly sleepless nights, at a time when every penny counts, the council cannot afford to waste £12,000 of taxpayers' money. The only crumb of comfort for her is that Mr Turner has arranged for a solicitor to be present during her interview, and if the council insists on prosecuting her, he will represent her in court, completely free of charge.
Here's hoping it doesn't come to that, but you do have to wonder what goes through the minds of some council officials. If they have nothing better to do with their time, perhaps they should look for alternative employment? Or perhaps they should be shown the door first?
Fly-tipping is a big problem in many parts of the country. Those found guilty of littering public places, people's gardens, and the countryside deserve to be punished. Not only does fly-tipping create an eyesore and a potential health hazard, it also means taxpayers' cash is being used to clear up someone else's mess.
Hull City Council though seems to have taken leave of its senses as it prepares to prosecute one of its residents, Greba Lilly. Mrs Lilly's crime was to place some bags of clothes destined for charity next to a full charity bin in a local supermarket car park. She didn't think she was doing anything wrong as there were other bags there. She thought she was being a good citizen. Unfortunately for Mrs Lilly, she had accidentally left some personal papers with the clothes, and the next she knew about the matter was when a letter arrived from Hull City Council ordering her to attend an interview. If the council does not find in her favour following the interview, she could be handed a fixed penalty fine. Her MP, Karl Turner had this to say:
I reckon it will cost the council £12,000 to prosecute this case and the most she could possibly get is an absolute discharge, so it’s completely bonkers.
I couldn't agree more with Mr Turner. Not only is this giving Mrs Lilly sleepless nights, at a time when every penny counts, the council cannot afford to waste £12,000 of taxpayers' money. The only crumb of comfort for her is that Mr Turner has arranged for a solicitor to be present during her interview, and if the council insists on prosecuting her, he will represent her in court, completely free of charge.
Here's hoping it doesn't come to that, but you do have to wonder what goes through the minds of some council officials. If they have nothing better to do with their time, perhaps they should look for alternative employment? Or perhaps they should be shown the door first?