Bolton man fined £433 after having a smoke outside

Peter Jeacock, 52, from Hargreaves House, Bolton, was found guilty of leaving a cigarette butt in St Peter's Square, near the city centre, on February 23, 2026.

He was not present at Tameside Magistrates' Court on September 18, but the offence was proved under the single justice procedure.

Jeacock was fined £220 for breaching the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which prohibits littering in public places.

He was also ordered to pay an £88 surcharge to fund victim services and £125 in costs, bringing the total to £433.

The court has given him until October 16 to pay the full amount.

The case was brought to court by Manchester City Council.

Dropping a cigarette butt on the ground is classed as littering and can result in a fine.

Cigarette ends are treated as litter in the same way as other rubbish, meaning smokers should make sure they are fully extinguished before putting them in a bin.

People who drop cigarette butts on streets, pavements or other public spaces can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) by authorised enforcement officers working on behalf of Manchester Council.

The penalty for the offence can be up to £180, with a reduced amount of £150 available if it is paid promptly.

Where there is no suitable bin available, smokers are expected to keep hold of the cigarette end until they can dispose of it properly and safely.

An FPN allows someone accused of littering to discharge their liability for the offence by paying the penalty rather than being prosecuted.

However, if the matter proceeds to court and the person is convicted of littering, they may face a fine of up to £2,500.