A MUM-OF-TWO who was ordered to pay £405 for dropping a cigarette butt said pursuing her all the way to court was a ridiculous waste of taxpayers’ money.

A council worker spotted Natalie Wilkinson, 34, of Wisdoms Green, Coggeshall, dropping the butt from her Ford Mondeo.

She was prosecuted by Braintree Council because she ignored the initial fine of £75.

Miss Wilkinson admitted littering and not paying the fine when the case went to Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

She was fined £290 and ordered to pay £115 costs.

Miss Wilkinson, who said she would pay up, said: “I think it is ridiculous for someone who works hard, pays their taxes, has a young family and their one enjoyment in life is smoking.

“What is shocking is the number of people involved in the process – the time and the money wasted in the current economy, on what I wouldn’t even consider an offence.

“I suppose the only lesson learnt is don’t do it when there are members of the authority around.”

Miss Wilkinson said she had been picking up her children from nursery when she flicked the cigarette out of her car in Silver End.

She said: “I did whatever anyone else does, finished smoking my cigarette and threw it out the window.”

Miss Wilkinson, who works in customer relations, did not think she would be in trouble until she received a letter from the council to say she had been given a £75 fine for littering.

It should have been paid within 14 days.

She said: “I didn’t pay it. It was near to Christmas, my partner had left me and I have two young children and it wasn’t a priority.

“I wish I had paid it, but I didn’t believe for one second it would go to court.

“At worst, I thought they would send me a note or solicitor’s letter to pay the money.”

Stuart Thompson, Braintree Council’s environment protection officer, said Miss Wilkinson had been spotted committing the offence by a council member.

He said the cost of a prosecution could vary depending on the length of the investigation.

He added: “At the end of the day, litter is a major problem.

“Everyone complains about it, so we have to take enforcement action against those responsible.”