10/03/2023 - Environmental offences lead to prosecution for two Luton residents
On Friday 3 March 2023, Luton Magistrates Court convicted two individuals who were found guilty of environmental offences. The charges were brought against the individuals by Luton Council.
Kesolufetse Sikhosana of Abigail Close was found guilty of breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order in Luton town centre for the offence of spitting. Mr Sikhosana also did not appear in court and was convicted in absence. He was ordered to pay fines totalling £1174.
Four other cases were heard on Friday 3 March; two were adjourned, one was issued with a warrant and one is seeking to be dealt with out of court following late submission of evidence.
The prosecutions coincide with Luton Council’s ‘Hate Litter, Love Luton’ campaign, which reminds residents that everyone is responsible for keeping the town clean. To keep litter off the streets, residents are encouraged to “pick it up, bin it or take it home”.
Councillor Maria Lovell MBE, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety at Luton Council, said “These prosecutions send a very strong message. In cases like these, we will always take robust enforcement action. Littering and spitting are offences that we simply do not tolerate.”
“Luton Council will take action where possible to keep our town clean, but we cannot do so alone. We all have a duty to make sure that Luton is a town that is clean, accessible and safe for all. That is why we have a litter campaign which emphasises the responsibility we all have, to take pride in our town.”
Environmental offences can be reported to Luton Council anonymously at https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/Environment/Pages/Report-a-street-care-or-cleaning-problem.aspx.