Three men have been hit with fines totalling more than £900 after being successfully prosecuted for littering offences in the Black Country.
Court Convictions for Littering Offences
Henry Carless, Shakiel Powell, and Jake Chad Webb all failed to pay Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued by Walsall Council for depositing and leaving litter in public areas. The council pursued prosecutions in October last year, resulting in convictions at local magistrates' courts.
On 20 October 2025, Henry Carless, of Kingstanding Road, Birmingham, was convicted at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates’ Court. The offence related to depositing litter on 17 April 2025 along High Street in Pelsall. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, an £88 victim surcharge, and £276.72 in costs, bringing his total penalty to £584.72.
Shakiel Powell, of Parkside Road, Halesowen, appeared at Dudley Magistrates’ Court on 17 October. He had deposited litter on 15 March 2025, also on High Street in Pelsall. The district judge considered his means as a student and gave him credit for an early guilty plea. He received a £60 fine, a £24 victim surcharge, and £85 in costs, totalling £169.
Jake Chad Webb, of Glyn Avenue, Bilston, was convicted at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates’ Court on 14 October. His offence took place on 10 December 2024 in New Invention Square, Willenhall. Webb was ordered to pay a £40 fine, a £16 victim surcharge, and £100 in costs, amounting to £156.
Council's Strong Warning to Offenders
Councillor Adam Hicken, portfolio holder for enforcement and safe communities at Walsall Council, issued a stern warning. "A lot of the Fixed Penalty Notices we issue get paid on time, but let this serve as a warning, we will seek to take people to court where necessary," he stated.
"Everyone has a responsibility to dispose of their waste properly. Our enforcement work will continue, and we will keep targeting those who think they can get away with this behaviour."
Funding Reinvested into Enforcement
A spokesperson for Walsall Council explained that revenue from fines is reinvested directly into enforcement activity. This includes funding for CCTV monitoring and investigations, which helps the council to identify offenders and reduce environmental crime.
The council reminded residents of the proper ways to dispose of waste:
- Using Walsall’s two Household Waste Recycling Centres.
- Booking the council’s bulky item collection service.
To report incidents of fly-tipping, residents are urged to visit the council's online reporting portal or call 01922 653355.
