Grieving mum fined for giving late husband's clothes to charity

A WOMAN has been hit with a £300 fine after leaving her late husband's clothes next to a donation bin.

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Sophie Scott had taken the items to the Salvation Army charity bin in Asda car park in Kings Hill, Kent on Monday, October 20.

Upon arrival, she found the bins were “completely full” so she neatly placed two bin liners of clothes on the ground alongside other bags.

However, after returning to her car, the mother-of-two was approached by a warden who questioned if she had left the bags by the donation bin.

She told him they were for charity and Sophie says the warden reeled off a list of dos and don'ts and explained he was going to fine her for fly-tipping, and it would cost £300.

A spokesperson for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said they understood the incident occurred at a “difficult time” for Mrs Scott, but explained the notice had been issued in line with its “standard policy”

Meanwhile, the company representing the enforcement agent responsible for dishing out the fine said it welcomed dialogue with individuals to provide “additional context” Sophie insists she hadn't seen any signs and “would never fly-tip”

The 51-year-old said: “I was very distressed because I’m about to have the funeral for my husband, who passed away very recently, so it’s been an incredibly difficult time, and it remains difficult. I was visibly very, very upset and told him that my mind was elsewhere.