Carmarthenshire County Council brought the prosecution against Brita Rogers, of Groesffordd Fach, who had illegally advertised the Derwen Antiques Fair, held at the National Botanic Gardens in January.
She appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court on August 17, where she pleaded guilty to an offence under s.224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 of advertising without consent. She was fined £80, with costs of £374.46 and a £30 victim surcharge.
The court heard that a council environmental enforcement officer noticed a number of advertising signs whilst on patrol in Pontyates, and in the days that followed also spotted the adverts on posts at the Pontabraham roundabout, along the A48, on directional signs along the A40, and along the High Street in St Clears.
During interview, Rogers stated that although she had not placed the signs herself, she had agreed for others to do so on her behalf.
She had previously been issued with a fixed penalty notice for flyposting in 2014, and had signed a declaration to the council that she understood she needed to seek authorisation from them before displaying further advertisements in Carmarthenshire.
In mitigation at court, Rogers said that although she had permitted other people to place advertising signs on her behalf, she thought that these would be placed on private land.
She also stated that she didn’t make a lot of profit out of the event and that she helped organise it to bring increased foot fall to the Gardens.
Cllr Philip Hughes, Executive Board Member for enforcement, said: “Fly-posting is potentially very dangerous as it is distracting to drivers and when broken down by the weather causes litter on our roadways and verges. It is a shame, having previously been warned about fly-posting, that this lady found herself in court.”
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