Cleanliness is considered one of the best qualities a person could possess. Making sure that their personal spaces as well as their surroundings remain tidy is a talent not many can boast of. For this couple from the UK, keeping their areas clean became a source of unwanted trouble. As per reports, the couple Veronika Mike and Zoltan Pinter were fined 1,200 pounds or Rs 1.3 lakh for tidying their surroundings. The residents of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (England), told the media they “just wanted to clean their street.” According to them, the area right outside their property had been marred with garbage, due to people leaving the waste outside of the bins installed. Because of its accumulation, it attracted rodents and cats. So, when Veronika and Zoltan decided to clean the rubbish and collect it in a cardboard box, instead of getting a thanks, they received a fixed penalty notice from the authorities, and each had to pay a fine. The box only carried Zoltan’s name, so it was more than a shock for the couple to find Veronika’s name as the other offender, more reports stated.
A letter was sent to the council from the couple, which was signed by the neighbours, asking the authorities to reconsider their decision. It stated that Zoltan, a mechanic and freelance videographer, and Veronika, are not to be blamed. But the amount was never rescinded and the couple is paying the money through instalments each month. The two have set up a GoFundMe account to recover some of the finances they lost. The couple has now decided that they will never think of tidying up the street again, “even if the rats come.” Veronika stated, “We just wanted to clean our street and that’s the thanks we get from the council. At first I was very angry and I cried.”
The councillor Amjid Wazir OBE said that the matter is resolved. This serves as a reminder that “fly-tipping” (illegally dumping waste) is an offence.
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