Brum apple core chucker fined pounds 110.

A STARK warning has gone out to litterbugs after a council's first two court prosecutions for dropping rubbish.

The cases related to items thrown from two vehicles - a cigarette and an apple core.

Two people pleaded guilty to littering charges when they appeared before West Bromwich magistrates.

The opportunity to avoid prosecution by paying a pounds 75 fixed penalty was not taken.

Sandwell Council told the court that Mashkura Begum, 28, of Little Oaks Road, Aston, Birmingham, drove off while a warden was attempting to issue her with a ticket for throwing an apple core from her car in High Bullen, Wed-nesbury.

She was fined pounds 120 with pounds 130 costs.

Martin Nutting, 39, of Bailey Street, West Bromwich, was reported for depositing a cigarette end from his vehicle in Whitehall Road, Great Bridge. He was fined pounds 80 with costs of pounds 146.25.

Coun Derek Rowley, Sandwell Borough Council's cabinet member for community safety and partnerships, said afterwards: "I welcome Sandwell's first court prosecutions for littering.

"I hope this serves as a warning to the people involved and others."