Fines running into hundreds of pounds have been dished out to smokers who litter the streets with cigarette ends.
Nottingham Magistrates' Court was told yesterday that when Sarah Rolley was spotted flicking away a stub, she was given a £50 ticket.
Tamazin Wilson, prosecuting, said Rolley insisted she was not paying, telling the council warden: "I am not paying it. I have got no money. You can have it at 50p weekly."
Jobless Rolley, 34, of Warton Avenue, St Ann's, did not pay the fixed penalty, ignored a reminder and failed to attend court. She was found guilty in her absence.
Magistrates were told she owed £583 to the court for failing to pay for a railway ticket and lived on state benefits.
As well as the fine, she was ordered to pay council costs of £226, a £150 criminal court charge and a £20 government surcharge. She was given a fortnight to pay. Four other careless smokers who ignored £50 tickets were ordered to pay a total of £618 each. The court heard that all were given the opportunity to pay the fixed penalties issued by Nottingham City Council wardens. They failed to do so and did not respond to reminders or summonses to appear in court.
They were found guilty in their absence. Their weekly earnings were calculated at £440, as JPs followed government guidelines. Each was fined £220 and ordered to pay the council's £226 costs, a £150 criminal court charge and a £22 government surcharge.
Mrs Wilson said a warden spotted a cigarette end thrown down by David Marius, 21, of Alfreton Road, Nottingham. The offence took place in Radford Road on June 3.
A similar offence was committed in Wheeler Gate by Jake Sharpe, 18, of Colwick Road, Sneinton.
Jess Smith, of South Street, Derby, was seen to drop a cigarette end in Upper Parliament Street, said Mrs Wilson.
A cigarette end was dropped in Long Row by Matt Tittensor, 32, of Lingmell Close, West Bridgford. He walked away after the offence, Mrs Wilson told the court.
If people pay the fixed-penalty tickets within ten days, the charge is £50. It rises to £75 after that.