Does the FPN state the specific legislation the litter officer believes your daughter contravened? How much is the fine if paid promptly?

If dropping needs to be wilfull she may have defence. OTOH if faiure to take care not to drop she may be on s stickier wicket or in realms of mitigation.

Probably worth writing to the Council stating circs etc and suggesting officer might reasonably have exercised discretion and will council consider withdrawing notice in all circs. I'd put it in those terms rather than bandying around word like petty or jobsworth (however tempting).

Whether it's worth time off work and faff of appearing in court with prospect of what may count as a criminal conviction is another question.

Edited by Ben 10 on 21/11/2016 at 14:12

Unfortunately this is what happens when you incentivise these people - they may or may not get a bonus for doing their job, but it is fairly obvious that any 'service' such as this has to be self funding.

If everyone is a good person and drops no litter who pays for the gestapo?

It is no different to private parking companies whose only source of income is the invoices they dish out. Their only job is to keep the £50-100 rolling in, any sense of fairness can't come into their operation as it affects their bottom line so dodgy practices and blatant scamming are the order of the day.

Usual for local council matters is a local Councillors meeting and Chief Exec complaints.

What is disturbing is the lack of evidence needed and on the opinion of one of these guys to get you into a court. But how would a magistrate view making a decision to convict on someone's say so without any evidence. Its a kangaroo court. They are basing the fact of a criminal record and a 2.5k fine that no one will challenge and risk going to court and just cough up the penalty fine. Surely there is something wrong here.

Could be worth a half hour consultation with a solicitor who has experience with the Court involved (considering that robbery with violence offenders receive community service orders or 3 months suspended sentences round here unlikely to have severe penalties in the unlikely event of being found guilty).

Magistrates are, after all, ordinary members of the public (albeit with some training and guidance on the day from a qualified professonal) the basis of English Law is "innocent until proved guilty beyond reasonable doubt" and without CCTV or body cam records, there is no evidence to support the accusation.