Posted on 12/07/2008 2:38:28 PM PST by BGHater
A grandfather was left humiliated after being handed a £60 litter fine when his cigarette was knocked out of his hand as he walked past a scuffle between police and shoplifters.
Lazaris Michael, 76, had taken a single puff before his smoke was sent flying as officers apprehended two girls who were trying to flee a branch of Boots.
But the pensioner did not have time to bend down and pick it up before a council warden pounced on him and hit him the fixed penalty for littering in front of a large crowd.
When he begged the council to show common sense and drop the case they responded by threatening him with an even bigger fine if he does not pay up.
Mr Michael, a retired restaurateur from Margate, Kent, said: 'I am well known by the residents of this town and this was utterly embarrassing.
'I've been shopping on this street for half a century and this has never happened before. I never drop litter.
'I was on my way to pick up a prescription for my wife when two policemen were apprehending two girls and bringing them out of the shop.
'This was causing people to crowd round and in the bustle someone pushed into me and I dropped my cigarette.
'I wasn't littering - it was a full cigarette. But before I had a chance to pick it up the warden had come up to me and asked me to come with him.
'I didn't know what he wanted so I went to talk to him. He gave me the fine and didn't give me a chance to explain.
'If he hadn't come over to talk to me I would have bent down and picked it up without giving another thought.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
‘E’s merely pining for the fjords.
UK - welcome to the weimar republic.
Just a scam the town runs to pull in revenue.
Follow the money. Bet the official is paid out of the money he collects. Just like revenue agents in speed traps, posing as cops. Fines collected should not go in any way towards paying the fine collector.
If he gave up smoking, he could pay for the fine in about a month.
>He should claim to be a muhammadan. The authorities will fall all over themselves to apologies!
An appropriately cynical remark; though the man seems to take some pride/comfort in being a man of some respectable standing.
Wonder if the beer is any better.
If he gave up electricity, he could pay for the fine in about a week.
Liberal fascism is great, isn’t it?
Absurd. These council officials are in need of a good tar-and-feathering to remind them who is the master.
Me thinks the council warden’s house needs to be TPed.
Would you have the same attitude if say what was knocked out of his hand was a cup o' tea? Or is your attitude only because it was an eviiiiiiiiil cigarette?
here in the south we call that revenue enhancement. We’d call that cop a revenue man. and we’d kill him.
That was sarcasm..right?
I mean...you wouldn’t really be suggesting he give up his rights because he’s a smoker would you?
I didn’t think so...
he needs to be tarred and feathered.
He should sue those who violated his personal space causing him to loose his property. Then he should sue the official for depriving him of his property with out a trial.
Your attitude has been noted. Ve vill be vatching you.
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