Lucas Harbourd, 49, received a criminal conviction for not paying a fine for dropping a cigarette butt in Bristol city centre in December 2024. Mr Harbourd stated he only became aware of the fine in July 2026 when he received a court letter indicating he owed £458.
He challenged the fine, and 3GS, the company contracted by Bristol City Council to issue fines, admitted it was a case of mistaken identity. The company apologised and stated it would request his case be reopened and withdrawn.
Mr Harbourd, who says he has never smoked, still needs to overturn the conviction, a process he believes could take months. He expressed concern that the conviction could affect his career due to potential impacts on Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
The fine followed a hearing on 7 May 2026 at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court, which was heard in his absence. Mr Harbourd said he only found out about the fine and conviction 18 months later because letters were sent to an incorrect address.