$400 fine for throwing away cigarette in front of San Fernando cops

A driver has been fined $400 for littering, after he discarded a cigarette butt in front of police during a routine traffic stop on January 22 near a school in San Fernando.

Avery Hosein pleaded guilty on January 23 when he appeared before magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh at the San Fernando Magistrates' Court. She ordered him to pay the fine within 30 days or, in default, serve three days in jail.

The magistrate told Hosein the maximum penalty for littering under the Litter Act is $4,000.

PC Ramcharan laid the charge.

The police said that around 8.45 am on January 22, Ramcharan and other officers were on road traffic  duty on Paradise Street near the St Joseph's Convent when the incident occurred. Ramcharan pulled over Hosein's white Nissan wagon in a routine traffic stop.

He asked to see his driving documents and Hosein complied. The policeman found the documents were valid. While he was speaking to Hosein, Hosein lit a cigarette and began smoking it.

After smoking half of it, Hosein threw the rest into the road in front of the officers. The policeman told him of the offence of littering and told him to pick it up.
The court heard that Hosein refused, replying: "I not picking up nothing."

When the officer repeated the request, Hosein allegedly called him "a demon."

Hosein was charged under Section 3 (1)(a) of the Litter Act, Chapter 30:52.