Hauled to court... for throwing pigeon a chip

A TEENAGER is being taken to court over a litter fine after she fed pigeons her chips.

Lauren-Paige Smith, 19, was tucking into her lunch during a work training day when she shared her McDonald’s chips with the birds.

But Miss Smith, who works in recruitment for Sky, was spotted by a council worker who fined her £25 for littering. She told him there was no ‘litter’ left because the pigeons had eaten it, but she was still penalised.

Miss Smith refused to pay up because she ‘thought it was a wind-up’ and thought nothing more of the incident in Swansea last July.

But she is now being told to pay £100 and must appear in court for a hearing described as a ‘complete waste of taxpayers’ money’.

Miss Smith, from Cardiff, said: ‘I was feeding the seagulls and pigeons some of my lunch when a man who worked for the council came out of nowhere and started reading me my rights. He asked for my details because he wanted me to pay a £25 fine. I asked him are you serious?

‘I was feeding the birds – and they ate all of the chips. But the fine has escalated and now I’m being hauled into court.

‘There are so much worse things going on in the world. I was only in Swansea because I was doing training for work.’ Miss Smith must now attend a hearing at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on November 15.

Her grandfather Lance Brewis, 66, said: ‘It’s madness. Lauren has never been in trouble in her life and they’re summoning her to court for feeding some birds. This is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. There’s needles and syringes everywhere in parks and they choose to fine a young girl for feeding a bird? What a jobsworth.’

Miss Smith added: ‘I can’t believe I’m being penalised for doing a kind act. I thought it was a wind-up.’

It is an offence to drop litter in any place, whether on public or private land. A person found guilty can be fined up to £2,500. If paid on time, they avoid criminal prosecution.

Swansea Council is among many local authorities to urge people not to feed pigeons, citing them as a nuisance.

Last year Brenda Hawkins, 74, was taken to court and fined £1,100 after she refused to stop feeding up to 100 birds which soiled her neighbour’s washing in Conwy, Wales.

Swansea Council failed to respond to requests for comment.

‘Complete waste of taxpayers’ money’