Grimsby man ordered to pay over £1000 in fines for cycling down Victoria Street

Richard Cameron, 45, of Cromwell Avenue, Grimsby, received four Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for cycling down Victoria Street, Grimsby, where cycling is prohibited by the order of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

However, he had not paid the fines and was therefore summoned to Grimsby Magistrates Court on Monday, 28 April. Also being prosecuted that day was Viktorija Kosareva, 28, of Smith Square, Doncaster, who was summoned for not paying an FPN she received for walking her dog on Cleethorpes beach when not permitted to do so.

The PSPOs are intended to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in a local area that is detrimental to the community’s quality of life. They do so by imposing conditions on the use of that area to ensure everyone can use and enjoy public spaces without experiencing nuisance and annoyance.

Given the wide-ranging scope of a PSPO, they are used sparingly and only after every other option has been exhausted.  Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence subject to a fine on conviction of up to £1,000 however, you may be offered a fixed penalty notice (FPN) as an alternative to prosecution.

Payment of the FPN discharges liability to conviction of the offence.  The council works in partnership with the police to ensure the effective enforcement of PSPOs.

Recently, the public were consulted on their support for the renewal of the PSPOs with 85% supporting the renewal of Grimsby Town Centre PSPOs.

Neither individual attended court and both were proven guilty in their absence. Ms. Kosareva was ordered to pay a total of £508; a £220 fine, £88 victim surcharge and £200 in legal costs.

Mr. Cameron was ordered to pay £1224; a £660 fine, £264 victim surcharge and costs of £300. Both offenders must pay the amount in 28 days of the court ruling.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “It’s great to see action being taken by the courts in relation to PSPO breaches.

“These Orders aren’t simply ways for the Council to make money, they are there to protect the community surrounding them and ensure everyone has a welcoming and enjoyable time when in North East Lincolnshire.

“Let this be a lesson to those who think they can flaunt the rules too. Whether you are in breach of a PSPO once or more than that, you are not above them.”

He added: “The WISE colleagues have been instrumental in this since starting in December 2023 and have had a massive impact in making the borough a better place.”