Council fines boy £50 for letting balloon go

Litter bosses have put the wind up a North teenager after hitting him with a £50 fine for releasing a balloon. Max Twizell, 16, was spotted by a council worker allowing it out of his hands at a charity event in Old Eldon Square, Newcastle.

The lad has been told to pay a £50 fine or he will be hauled before magistrates. Max, of Heddon on the Wall, Northumberland, inflated the helium-filled balloon but let it spiral away without tying the end.

Max said: “I took one of the balloons to do the funny voice. I let it go and walked off with some friends but this guy came up and fined me. I wasn’t given a chance to find it and pick it up. It’s a bit silly and annoying.”



Stephen Savage, director of regulatory services and public protection, said the council was expected to take firm action.

He said: “We can confirm that we have issued a £50 fine to a teenager for dropping an item of litter in Old Eldon Square.

“He has 28 days to pay and if not may face court action. To some people this may sound harsh but we believe that to create a cleaner, safer city we must send out a clear message that this will not be tolerated.”