Litter warning issued to motorists after successful prosecution of cab driver this week

Litter warning issued to motorists after successful prosecution of cab driver this week

Sefton Council is warning motorists that they are not above littering laws after a taxi driver was caught on dashcam footage throwing rubbish out of his window.

Paul Morttram, 32, a Sefton licensed taxi driver, was found guilty in his absence of three counts of littering at a hearing at Sefton Magistrates Court on August 15.

He now faces a fine of £300 and £333 in costs and victim surcharges after originally failing to pay a fixed-penalty-notice.

Dashcam footage filmed by a concerned motorist on January 9 clearly showed Mr Morttram throwing rubbish out of his drivers’ window three times in the space of two minutes while travelling through Bootle.

The footage was passed to Sefton Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team and, when interviewed, Mr Morttram admitted to the offences.

He was issued with three separate fixed-penalty-notices, totalling £150 but after repeated failed attempts to contact the defendant, legal action was taken.

Magistrates this week found in favour of Sefton Council and Mr Morttam was ordered to pay £633.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said:

“We are very pleased with the outcome and want people to realise no matter how big or small an item is, dropping litter is an offence and this applies to all members of the public, regardless of if you’re on the pavement or in a vehicle.

“The best way to avoid a fine or a court appearance is to not drop litter.

“Littering is consistently one of the main concerns raised by residents and the council spend over £3 million per year cleaning up litter.

“We pursue a vigorous enforcement approach by issuing fixed penalty notices and it is only by prosecuting individuals who don’t pay, that the council can present a robust enforcement deterrent.”