An 86-year-old pensioner in Skegness, Lincolnshire, was fined £250 by litter wardens after spitting out a leaf that accidentally blew into his mouth during a walk.
Roy Marsh said the incident happened while he was resting in a car park on a windy day. “The leaf just blew into my mouth, and I spat it out,” he said. Moments later, two enforcement officers from East Lindsey District Council issued him a penalty notice. After appealing, the fine was reduced to £150.
The grandfather-of-two described the experience as upsetting. “It was something that could have happened to anyone. It’s left me anxious about going out,” he said.
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Marsh added that the ordeal has made him wary during his regular walks around town. The story drew attention online after his daughter, Jane Marsh Fitzpatrick, shared the incident on social media, prompting others in the community to share similar experiences.