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 ...
Absolutely. It’s like 1942 all over again. And, sadly, the poor man doesn’t really get it. He still thinks the council is representing him.
How does jackboot polish taste? Inquiring minds want to know.
They stand around waiting for someone to get his teeth knocked out and then they fine the victim for littering. People who are stabbed and bleed get the same treatment.
/s
Never visit the U.K.. Never, Never, never, never step foot on their soil. They’ve lost their bloomin’ marbles.
Imagine working in extreme cold as a laborer all day with Russians, Mexicans, and having a small cigar (outside) during your less than half-hour lunch break. Then the Aussie boss with a thick accent walks by, saying, “Damned smokers.” ...in the USA.
'Smoking police' hit the streets to shock people into quitting[UK]
But if you do that, how are they going to pay or all the military style toys they so love to play with and walk around in. Bloused fatigue pants make the man don't ya know
If you gave up posting on the internet you could get all your home repairs done in two days.
Hey.. something similar happened to me right here in the good old USA.
January, 1996 Was getting things in order to move away from NYC, walking down by Mott street in Chinatown. Went into a store to pick up a pack of smokes, opened it up and the cellophane top wrapper got taken away by the wind before i could even do anything about it.. just flew right out of my hands.
Within seconds a NYC Dept of Sanitation guy/wanna be cop came up to me and gave me a ticket YELLING at me about how hard his men worked to clean up that street earlier that day. I tried to explain to the guy.. he was not listening. I never litter, and this was in the middle of a windy snowstorm. Guy was a power tripping idiot.
..within seconds a NYC Department of Sanitation guy..etc..
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Should have pointed out that if people weren’t ‘pigs’ his men would have no trash to pick up and therefore (in real life) would be out of a job.....
I was pulled over in Arizona, and they were writing me a warning. Just before they were finished, they wanted to look into my mouth. They asked me when was the last time I smoked pot. I told them I wouldnt answer. Then they wanted me to stand on one foot. But I couldnt because I was nervous at that point, because I knew they were going to search my car. And I loan my car to these gypsy girls, and I hadnt had a chance to sweep it for contraband since they last used it. They gave me a breathalyser, and I blew a zero. They cuffed me, towed away my car ($500) and threw me in jail for 24 hours. In the report, the cop said he noticed my eye twitch.
Charged with a DUI, and I was stone cold sober.
Trial is January 6th.
Wish me luck!
"I have never smoked pot in the United States, officer. I am not accustomed to answering questions about my activities when I go south of the border" (you were in AZ, right)"
I told them I wouldnt answer. Then they wanted me to stand on one foot. But I couldnt because I was nervous at that point, because I knew they were going to search my car.
"I have been advised by counsel NEVER to give permission to search my car. Not because I have something to hide, but because it is my federally authorized right under the constitution. I mean no disrespect to you, but I do not consent to any searches." If they search anyway, ask them what probable cause they are invoking. They will probably tell you to shut up, but you have grounds for getting any convictions thrown out, unless you exhaled a big smokestream when you opened the window.
No, I knew they were going to search the car. Dosent matter about the constitution anymore.
It is all about getting their buddies a big fat towing fee, and by getting another "collar", they can put another notch on their bed-post.
I keep wondering when the Brits are going to revolt in a big way. They are living in a sea of Nanny State incompetents who are in charge of things on many fronts. The endless stories about trash bin Nazi fines, going to jail for defending yourself or your home from criminals, and similar stories are unreal.
And to think Americans on these boards have the temerity to accuse the UK of being a “fascist police State”.
I’ll take my chances with a British Bobby rather than any of the law enforcement you got...
Our police and local councils are shocking. I wouldn’t spit on them cos it would be a waste of fluid.
Oh come on, you dont have officious idiots in America?.
Do come, youll be welcome, and you would love it.
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