Martin Fielder was sent a letter six weeks ago from District Enforcement, a private enforcement agency employed by Welwyn Hatfield borough council to issue fixed-penalty notices on commission.
A spokesperson for Welwyn and Hatfield borough council said: “District Enforcement officers are trained to carry out enforcement in line with legal standards and the council’s enforcement policy.
“The letter stated that if the fine was not paid within 28 days the matter would be referred to the magistrates court, where I could go to prison for up to 12 months or receive a bigger fine, or both.”.
Fielder told District Enforcement that he did not know how the envelope had ended up on the grass, but that strong winds the previous night could have blown it out of his recycling bin.
Fielder complained to his council and told District Enforcement he intended to argue his case in court.
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