Roy Marsh, 86, was fined after spitting out a leaf that blew into his mouth while he sat by a boating lake in Lincolnshire. The original $334.50 fine was reduced on appeal to $200.70, which Marsh paid. A local councillor has called for more discretion from enforcement officers, while East Lindsey District Council defended its policies and denied discriminatory targeting. Marsh's daughter said the leaf caused him to choke and noted his serious health issues.
86-Year-Old Fined After Spitting Out Leaf That Blew Into His Mouth — Fine Reduced On Appeal
Jane Marsh Fitzpatrick/FacebookRoy Marsh.
Roy Marsh, 86, said he was issued a monetary penalty earlier this year in Lincolnshire after spitting out a leaf that had been blown into his mouth while he sat by a boating lake.
What Happened
Marsh told the BBC that a strong gust sent a large reed into his mouth. He coughed and spat the plant onto the ground, and as he stood up two enforcement officers approached him. One officer said they had seen him spitting on the floor, and the interaction quickly escalated. Marsh later called one of the officers a "silly boy," telling reporters the enforcement felt "unnecessary and all out of proportion."
"It was all unnecessary and all out of proportion," Marsh said.
Penalty And Appeal
The initial fine was $334.50. After an appeal the penalty was reduced to $200.70, which Marsh paid.
Jane Marsh Fitzpatrick/FacebookRoy Marsh (left) and wife Anne Marsh (right).
Responses And Local Reaction
Adrian Findley, a county councillor representing Reform on Lincolnshire County Council, told the BBC he has received multiple complaints about similar enforcement actions. "There needs to be discretion about how officers issue fines," he said, adding that if an incident appears accidental, officers should offer the chance to apologize and pick the item up rather than immediately issuing a penalty.
East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) responded that enforcement officers "would only approach individuals who have been seen committing environmental crime offences." The council said enforcement activities are monitored, are not targeted at any specific demographic, and are "not discriminatory."
Family Account
In a Facebook post, Marsh's daughter, Jane Marsh Fitzpatrick, described her father as having walking difficulties and noted that he walks daily around the boating lake. She said the leaf made him choke, and that he has severe asthma and a heart condition but managed to cough up and spit out the leaf.
The incident has prompted local debate over the use of discretion by enforcement officers and how elderly residents are treated during environmental-patrol interactions.
