Winslow man with prostate problem fined for urinating in layby

Enforcement officers spotted Michael Mason urinating near a layby and he has been fined £88

A driver who has a prostate problem has told how he received a fixed penalty notice for littering after urinating in a layby.

Michael Mason was parked in a layby on the A41, near Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, when an enforcement officer issued the £88 fine.

The 69-year-old wanted to avoid the M25 and said: "If I had gone any further, I would've soiled myself."

Dacorum Borough Council said the fine was for littering.

In a statement, the council said "Urination is classified as litter by the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

"Officers patrol public places in areas where littering is prevalent and are instructed to issue fixed penalty notices once they have witnessed a littering act."

The driver told the Jonathan Vernon-Smith show on BBC Three Counties Radio he politely explained to the enforcement officer "it's not something I normally do."

"I was about to join the motorway - it just came on and that was it, I couldn't do anything about it," he said.

The 69-year-old said he went to the toilet in the layby because he "couldn't help it"

Mr Mason, of Winslow, Buckinghamshire said while he is apologetic, he suffers from a prostate problem and his stop on the A41 had been "an emergency".

He was informed if he does not pay the fine with 14 days the fine will increase to £2,500

The council has agreed to extend the payment deadline until 12 December, out of goodwill, and invited Mr Mason to provide medical evidence to his condition.

The 69-year-old said he has now paid £30 to his GP surgery for a letter confirming his condition.

Mr Mason said he would carry a receptacle in his vehicle in case he needs to urinate while driving again.