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Teacher Fined While Abroad: Littering Accusation Sparks Outrage
1 Jan
Summary
- Retired teacher received £100 fine for littering while in Normandy.
- The fine was issued by Nottingham council for an alleged offense on August 13.
- The teacher suspects his car's license plates were cloned by another individual.
A retired teacher, Ray Weatherburn, faced a £100 littering fine from Nottingham city council, despite being 440 miles away in Normandy, France, on August 13. Mr. Weatherburn, a 76-year-old former athlete residing in Berwick-upon-Tweed, was enjoying breakfast abroad when the accusation was made. Nottingham council issued the penalty notice for his silver Vauxhall Corsa, erroneously linking him to a cigarette butt incident.
Further correspondence from the council intensified Mr. Weatherburn's concern, with one letter threatening court action. He provided evidence, including passport stamps and petrol receipts, to prove his absence. Adding to the confusion, the initial fine was addressed to an unfamiliar name. Mr. Weatherburn, who has never smoked, suspects his car's license plates might have been cloned, a possibility he was reportedly told by police.
After contacting the council to dispute the charge and highlight the potential ID fraud, Mr. Weatherburn eventually received an apology for the inconvenience caused. The council attributed a subsequent letter, inviting him to a community work program, to a technical error. The entire ordeal has caused sleepless nights and anxiety for Mr. Weatherburn as he grapples with the unresolved issue of his cloned plates.
