Pensioner, 85, who volunteers to pick litter fined for littering after losing walking stick

An who regularly goes out on litter picks has slammed a council after he was fined £150 for littering after dropping his walking stick whilst out on a pick.

Alan Davies, 85, finished the daily with his pals and hopped in his car, forgetting his walking aid on September 6. He accused of trying to "bankrupt" him after he received the hefty fine through his door.

The grandad was left "shocked, angry and upset" after realising that he had been given a for leaving his stick and a bag with his cushion inside, by the roadside in Aldrige, West Midlands. He claims Walsall Council found him after going through CCTV images from a camera. He says council officers found his address by using his car's number plate and sent him the fine last week.

READ MORE:

Alan is demanding for the council to return his walking stick. Speaking about the ordeal, the former builder said: "Why would I leave my walking stick there on purpose? I want it back, but I cannot speak to anyone human about the fine. I need my walking stick, they have taken the to track me down - and after all I've done for the area, they could have given me my walking stick back. They have tried to bankrupt me."

Alan's friends and fellow pickers have tried in vain to talk to someone at Walsall Council about the fine but they keep being told to email their complaint. Alan's fellow walker and litter picker John said: "They are non-negotiable. They will not listen. Or talk to you over the phone. They need to prove intent and there is none - he drove off by mistake."

The letter, from Walsall Council's Protection Department, says: "If payment is not received proceedings may- be taken against you where you may be liable to a fine of up to a maximum of £2500." Included in the letter are two CCTV images - one showing Alan and John walking towards their car, and then another ten minutes later showing the walking stick and cushion on the floor.

John said: "There is a ten-minute gap between the pictures. They obviously could not be bothered to look at the picture of the film which shows him driving off and the stick and bag with his cushion in, surely they have to prove some kind of intent. Instead, it is like trying to talk to a brick wall."

Alan and his friends walk around Aldridge cleaning up , with Alan usually taking his cushion to sit down halfway through to have a coffee. The widower said: "Beer cans, takeaway rubbish you name it we pick it up. We even fixed the benches in the park in our own time and with our own money." Alan's neighbour Ann said: "£150 is a lot of money for a pensioner. You cannot speak to the council on the phone it has to be email, not everyone has the internet. Hopefully when people realise what Alan is being put through the council will back down."

A spokesperson from Walsall Council said: “We recognise the specific circumstances around this incident and would like to apologise profusely to Mr Davies. We can confirm that the fixed penalty notice has been rescinded after a further review of footage.

"Walsall Council respects and values the work and commitment of all our volunteers. They play a key role in our defence against fly-tipping and littering. The location in question, Longwood Lane and Hayhead Wood is a hot spot for fly-tipping and the CCTV camera was put in place after complaints from the local community. Fly-tipping and littering is a major problem in Walsall and remains a priority for the council.”