An elderly couple who have regularly picked up litter at a park for more than a decade were fined after their dog strayed onto a football pitch. Janice and David Chapman, aged 79 and 81 respectively, were approached by Caerphilly council officers on June 6 and forced to pay £75.
The couple's house backs onto Virginia Park and for the last 15 years they have helped to maintain the field by voluntarily collecting rubbish. Janice said she was carrying "six or seven" plastic bottles when they were met by the council workers.
She said she had momentarily walked onto the pitch to pick up another plastic bottle when her chihuahua-pug cross Molly followed her. At the time Janice said the field was quiet and not being used for any sport.
