Pregnant mum fined for dropping fag end
MOTHER Limara Muncey has hit out at over-zealous council officials after being given a £70 fine for dropping a cigarette so she could tend to her daughter.
The 25-year-old, who gave birth to her second child yesterday, was heavily pregnant when an eagle-eyed council officer swooped on her while out shopping in Newcastle town centre on Friday.
-
Limara_muncey
Mrs Muncey insists she only put the cigarette on the floor "for a moment", along with her shopping bags so she could see to her three-year-old girl Allicia, who was complaining she was cold.
The mother-of-two suffers from a cracked pelvis and had been told not to bend by doctors, so asked her daughter to pick up the cigarette so she could find a bin to put it in.
But before it was picked up Mrs Muncey was challenged and given a fixed penalty notice.
Mrs Muncey, who lives in Warrick Street, Chesterton, said: "I had just been to order some flowers for my mum for her birthday and we were told to go back to the shop in 20 minutes so I went outside and bought Allicia an ice cream, but she was cold and wanted the toilet and started to get upset.
"My hands were full, so I dropped my shopping bags and cigarette so I could see to her.
"The next thing I knew a council warden pounced on me from nowhere and started reading me my rights.
"He could see I was distressed and struggling with my shopping and with Allicia but when I tried to explain the situation he wouldn't have any of it.
"I'd asked my daughter to pick up the cigarette for mummy but she was playing up and wouldn't do it. I wasn't going to just leave it there."
Mrs Muncey, who smokes five cigarettes a day, was given a £70 fine, reduced to £50 if she pays within 10 days.
But she has claimed she had not spotted any warning signs when she was approached outside Burton on the Ironmarket and has vowed to appeal against the fine.
Her mother, Sharon Barlow, aged 42, who lives in Pool Dam, Newcastle, said: "They were far too eager to fine her and didn't give her a chance to pick the cigarette up."
About 15 Newcastle Borough Council officers began issuing on-the-spot fines for littering on May 12, as well as carrying out their other duties.
Since then, they have given out 75 fixed penalty notices.
A spokesman for Newcastle Borough Council said: "Mrs Muncey dropped a cigarette on the ground and made no attempt to pick it up. She was then approached and given a fixed penalty notice.
Residents have made it clear that litter is one of the things they find most irritating, it makes the area look untidy and costs the council and ultimately taxpayers £1.5 million a year to clean-up.
"The council raises awareness of littering penalties to warn people and discourage them from dropping litter.
"We would rather not issue fixed penalty notices but have no alternative when people choose to break the law."
48 Comments
View all
by Casey, doha
Thursday, November 11 2010, 7:21AM
“Charlotte -
Because she's pregnant you cretin.”
by Charlotte, Adelaide
Monday, March 16 2009, 11:09AM
“What you all say is filthy rubbish not a woman smoking. Why shouldn't she smoke? Why are you better than her? Gee you sure know how to stick the knives in don't you? Leave her alone.
Charlotte Sometimes”
by geoff, meir
Saturday, October 04 2008, 3:41PM
“£70.00 for dropping litter,she should have been arrested for GBH TO HER UNBORN BABY! i may be wrong but im guessing she is uneducated and unemployed.”
by Kelly, Staffordshire
Thursday, October 02 2008, 4:24PM
“Hope you are proud of yourself, smoking mother of 2 kids. We have been trying for a baby for over 3 years, and now have to resort to IVF. We are non smokers, work full time, stay healthy and exercise but still no joy. I NOW KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING WRONG! 5 fags a day with no regard to our public surroundings or setting a good example to others, and then moan all over the local paper, that's what we are missing. YOU DISGUST ME, YOU REALLY DO.”
by Jo, Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent
Thursday, October 02 2008, 9:49AM
“PAY UP!!!!! Plain and simple.
Trying to get out of the fine by putting this rubbish in the paper has only made us all aware of the real issue behind this article.
Pregnant and smoking....................................................What a disgrace!!!
You ought to be ashamed of yourself with the damage to your unborn baby.
I have never smoked in my life and find it a completely disgusting habit regardless.
I am 6 months pregnant myself and am doing the best for my unborn baby, I'm even still visiting the gym at least once a week (under strict supervision from the instructor/s).
Just pay up and QUIT the filthy habit!”
by lee, weston coyney
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 5:48PM
“What a shame the council didnt have this sort of response to street yobs.”
by K Lowe, Bradwell
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 12:37PM
“Why are you even bothering to print this story? What a waste of time!! This just goes to show what sort of a society we live in. Not only is she heavily pregnant and smoking but she has asked her 3 year old to hold a lit cigarette for her!!! I am disgusted and amazed! This woman deserves to be taught a lesson, she should be locked up - and throw away the key!! People like her make me sick! She doesnt deserve to be a parent!! Poor kids!”
by tonnya, market drayton
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 11:55AM
“thank goodness so many people agree . i thought we were a green country . save the paper cause it really is a waste of a story.”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 11:44AM
“Karen... one or two comment about the young womans looks got removed, for fear of upseting her, but look what the hell happened anyway.”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 10:48AM
“The Doctor..London, revolting comments about a revolting woman with a revolting habbit, a revolting atitude and indeed a revolting tendencey to blame a three year old girl for her missgiveings, and indeed to liy to. Infact Doctor I find you revolting, buss off, and may I say that my wheelybin( see we dont sling black bags of rotting food out on the street like you dirty southen lot, well not most of us anyway.) gos out,all recycled when the binmen turn into the street, thank god for part time work with good pay.”