A GRAVESEND man caught dropping a cigarette butt will have to pay £675 after being found guilty of littering.

Russell Carter, 50, was seen by two Medway Council community officers flicking away a fag end while sitting in his van outside McDonald’s in Merrick Way, Strood on June 7 last year.

The Canal Road resident pulled up nearly alongside a marked council van before officers Yusuf Cinar and Rebecca Pease clearly saw him light the cigarette and then dispose of it on the pavement, Dartford Magistrates’ Court heard.

When confronted by Mr Cinar, Carter told him: "You were waiting for me to do that", the court was told.

At a Medway Magistrates’ Court hearing on January 15, Carter pleaded not guilty to throwing down, dropping or otherwise depositing litter.

Carter claimed neither officer could have seen him litter and that he actually dropped a stone, according to prosecution barrister Alan Conroy.

Mr Cinar told magistrates the cigarette butt was still smoking after he saw Carter flick it away.

The defendant was found guilty in his absence on March 6, fined £200 and ordered to pay £460 costs and a £15 surcharge.

The prosecution applied for £860 costs.

Carter was taken to court for failing to pay a fixed penalty notice of £80, which is reduced to £60 if paid within 10 days.