'Flytipping' People fined £500 after addresses found on pieces of litter

At first, Tony Morton thought the £500 fly-tipping fine was a scam. After all, he had never visited the spot, 150 miles away, where the litter addressed to him had apparently been discovered.

- Amelia Hill

At first, Tony Morton thought the £500 fly-tipping fine was a scam. After all, he had never visited the spot, 150 miles away, where the litter addressed to him had apparently been discovered. "I had to check on my phone to see where Welwyn Hatfield is," said the 82-year-old retired toolmaker.

The letter from private litter enforcers District Enforcement said if Morton paid the fine within 10 days it would be reduced to £350, but it was dated 6 December and he received it on 6 January. Morton emailed the company on 16 January but is still waiting for a response. "I only have my pension...It's cowardly of them not to reply, and unfair, especially when dealing with elderly people who are vulnerable and get worried about such things," he said.