Driver fined for smoking in lorry

[xoxoxoBruce]

Leonard King, 55, of Kinmel Bay, Conwy, faces fines and costs of £260 from Llandudno magistrates for smoking illegally in his workplace.

He pleaded guilty by letter but said his prosecution was "over the top".

A dog warden spotted King smoking and flicking the stub out of the lorry's window. He also received a fine for depositing litter with the stub.

Magistrates were told that the council warden took the number of the lorry, on Colwyn Bay promenade, and it was traced to a carrier firm, who confirmed their vehicles had no-smoking notices.

A solicitor for Conwy council said King was offered a fixed penalty for smoking illegally in his cab and another for £75 for depositing litter with the stub.

He has paid the litter fine but has not paid the one for smoking.

King did not attend the hearing but wrote pleading guilty. He offered no mitigation.

He was fined £75 and must also pay £30 investigative costs and £65 legal costs.

The lorry driver must also pay a £15 victim's surcharge, which is a flat-rate levy paid into a fund to improve services for victims of crime.

Along with the £75 fine he had already paid, this means a total bill of £260.

Speaking after the hearing King criticised the council for taking him to court.
"I'm sure they can find better things to do with their time," he said.

More Victim's surcharge?