An ex-Crawley resident has pleaded guilty to giving false information to a Community Warden after being caught littering.

Crawley Borough Council successfully prosecuted ex-Crawley resident, Natalie Bunting of Redehall Road, Horley under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, for providing a false or inaccurate name or address and non-payment of the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

Mrs Bunting was stopped in the town centre in August 2019 by a Warden, after she threw her cigarette butt onto the floor. She was issued with an FPN and asked for her name and address details.

The FPN was not paid and a summons was issued by the council but was later returned as undelivered. At this point the council did not know if Mrs Bunting had given a false name as well as a false address.

A thorough enquiry led by the council’s Investigations Team, established that she had in fact given her real name but a previous address. Mrs Bunting was then interviewed and admitted to giving a false address, but stated she did so because she didn’t know if the Warden was who he said he was, despite him wearing the uniform.

Mrs Bunting received a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay towards the councils costs.

Councillor Peter Lamb, Leader of the Council said: “Littering puts animals and wildlife at risk, it looks awful, and costs taxpayers’ money to resolve. The council will always take a zero-tolerance approach to littering. We all have a responsibility to look after this town as residents and visitors.”

The Community Wardens patrol the whole of Crawley and will issue an FPN to anyone they see dropping litter.

The councils Investigation team will investigate all aspects of fraud and criminal activity in Crawley. They can be contacted for free and in confidence by emailing investigations@crawley.gov.uk