Man, 86, fined ₹26,000 for spitting out leaf that accidentally blew into his mouth

Roy Marsh, who has walking difficulties and suffers from severe asthma and a heart condition, says he accidentally inhaled a small leaf.

An 86-year-old man was fined £250(26,250 INR) after spitting out a leaf that blew accidentally into his mouth. The incident took place in Lincolnshire, UK.

The incident took place earlier this year in Skegness (Representational image) (Unsplash )

Roy Marsh, who has walking difficulties and suffers from severe asthma and a heart condition, says he accidentally inhaled a small leaf while out for a walk near the boating lake. He managed to cough it up and spit it out.

The story came to wider attention after county councillor Adrian Findley, representing Reform on Lincolnshire County Council, said he had received complaints from residents about similar “heavy-handed” enforcement actions in the seaside town. The incident took place earlier this year in Skegness, as per a report by BBC.

Marsh said that he was issued fine despite the situation being accidental. The original £250 fine was later reduced to £150 on appeal, which he paid.

"As I was sitting there, a gale blew a big reed into my mouth. I spat it out and just as I got up to walk away two guys came up to me," Marsh told BBC.

Marsh further added that officers need discretion when issuing fines. Elderly people shouldn’t be expected to chase crisp packets or leaves in windy conditions. If it looks like a genuine accident, there should be a chance to apologise and move on.