A dropped dog end cost a smoker more than £150 after he ended up in court.
Robert Hopkins, of West Street, Harwich, was spotted dropping a cigarette butt as he went into a shop in Colchester town centre.
He was stopped on the way out by a council litter patroller in Long Wyre Street.
A court heard yesterday Hopkins immediately admitted dropping the cigarette end. He was given the chance to stump up a £75 fixed penalty but never paid the fine and ended up in court.
Hopkins admitted dropping litter in the street. He said he hadn't paid the fine because his wallet had been stolen.
Jobless Hopkins claimed he dropped the cigarette on the floor because there were no bins nearby.
"There are no ashtrays at all on that street," he said. "There are always ashtrays in Clacton and Ipswich."
Colchester magistrates fined him £75 with £90 costs.
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