Man slapped with £75 fine for accidentally dropping tiny piece of orange peel wins fight with council

A man slapped with a £75 fine for accidentally dropping a tiny piece of orange peel has won his fight with the council.

Luke Gutteridge was taken to court after dropping a piece of fruit the size of a 10 pence coin.

Luke was eating the piece of fruit in the street in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire when he was jumped on by an overzealous enforcement officer who handed him a £75 fine for littering.

Luke, who had put the rest of the peel in the bin, swiftly picked up the rogue piece and apologised.

But he was horrified when the worker refused to cancel the fine and said if he didn't pay up he'd be taken to court.

Determined to clear his name Luke, who has never even had a parking ticket, fought his case before magistrates in Stevenage - and won.

The case has reportedly cost the taxpayer £8,000.