Woman with dwarfism, can’t reach trash can fined over P6,000 for littering

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A woman with dwarfism has been fined 100 pounds ($130, around P6,600) for littering after she could not reach the top of a dumpster by her home in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

Tia Goldsmith, who has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, was unable to place two cardboard boxes inside the trash can because of her height of 4 feet, as per Plymouth Live last Thursday, Nov. 28.

She opted to leave the boxes by the trash can, hoping that the garbage collectors would understand her situation and dispose of them. However, the boxes were not collected and were noticed by an anti-litter enforcer.

After being seen by the enforcer, Goldsmith received a fine of 100 pounds ($130, around P6,600) for supposedly littering in public.

She later filed an appeal on the grounds that her height had prevented her from being able to place the boxes inside the trash can, as per report. A secretary from a nearby hospital claimed that the appeal had gone unnoticed.

In light of her ignored appeal, Goldsmith currently faces the risk of being taken to court if she does not settle her fine. Meanwhile, city officials have not explained the circumstances of her case, citing that it remains “ongoing.”

Goldsmith has also informed the officials about her condition and said that the Disability Discrimination Act can actively change the officials’ procedures for people with disabilities. However, her appeal regarding the act has also reportedly been ignored.

She described her situation regarding the fine as “disgusting,” the report stated. She also admitted to being “worried about what will happen,” adding that she is a law-abiding citizen who has never gone to court.

“The way they are treating me, and the way they have gone about it, is unacceptable,” she was quoted as saying.

“I want to fight it, until the end — even if I end up having to pay the 100 pounds ($130, around P6,600), at least I’d have fought it,” Goldsmith added. “[A]nd all over a couple of cardboard boxes.”

Goldsmith believes she was simply made a “scapegoat” for a recent rise in littering in her area, as per report. She cited that her personal details were on the boxes, which she thinks gave the officials the chance to blame someone. Ryan Arcadio/JB

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