Is this a sick joke? Boy (12) fined while being ill

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy who was fined after he vomited in the street is at the centre of the latest community wardens row.

Bradley Brooks was stopped and fined by wardens because he put a plastic drinks bottle on a green telephone communication box while being sick.

The Matthew Humberstone School pupil was walking along Westward Ho, in Grimsby, when he began to feel ill.

It is the latest in a number of incidents which has led to questions being asked by Telegraph readers about the value of wardens to the community.

Bradley had been at a friend's birthday party on Sunday at about 4.30pm when he decided to walk home as he was feeling poorly.

Bradley was fined by community wardens after he was sick in the street.

He said: "I was sick on the road and then the wardens stopped me further on. I had sick on the bottle so I put it on top of what I thought was a bin. Then the wardens stopped me.

"I thought they were going to ask me if I needed any help but instead they fined me and kept me there for half an hour while they told me I would be fined or have to do community service."

A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council said: "Our community wardens acted properly in this case. They saw Bradley put down his bottle and walk a considerable distance before they approached him. At that point he said he felt a bit sick but there was no sign of any illness.

"Bradley has been offered the chance to take part in a litter-pick and environmental education day in lieu of a £50 fine.

"There is a very effective appeals process should his family wish to take the case to court."

But Bradley's mother, Sarah Tuson, of Milton Road, Grimsby, said: "It's a disgrace. I haven't brought my kids up to litter and to pick on a sick child is not acceptable.

"These people get paid good money to represent our community and all they do is pick on a decent lad who wasn't very well. He couldn't find a bin, so he put it on top of the electricity box. He was terrified."

Coun Norma Lincoln (Labour, South ward) added: "I am annoyed that the wardens said he wasn't sick. I saw Bradley and Sarah after he had arrived home and saw the vomit myself on Westward Ho. I can't believe it."

Bradley is currently awaiting his fixed penalty notice.