And finally… hard law, soft law, stupid law

Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire spent the money in pursuit of Luke Gutteridge, 29, who was handed a £75 fine last September after he dropped the peel.

When confronted about dropping it Mr Gutteridge, who had binned the rest of the fruit, apologised but the council worker refused to back down and told him he would be taken to court.

Following a nine-month legal battle, his defence that the offence requires intention to be proved was accepted by magistrates in Stevenage.

The council has had to pay legal fees of £4,000, while Mr Gutteridge’s lawyer has asked for his fees, an additional £4,000, be paid by central funds.

Recalling the incident, Mr Gutteridge said: “I couldn’t believe it. It was absolutely stupid.

“I hate litter louts and never thought that I would have been classed as one for accidentally dropping a little piece of peel of which I was totally unaware.

“I chose not to take the easy way out, as I had not intentionally dropped the peel and decided to fight my corner and prove the council wrong. It was a waste of taxpayers’ money from the start.”

Dr Michael Ramsden, a human rights lawyer who took up Mr Gutteridge’s case, said: “It is quite simple, the council clearly got the law wrong.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “The facts put forward by the defendant and those recorded by the enforcement officer differed and therefore it was decided by the court.

“Broxbourne council takes all offences of littering seriously and works hard to keep the borough clean and pleasant for residents and visitors.”