(UK) I sweep up outside my house on a regular basis. In fact, not only do I sweep the road and pavement outside my house and that of my immediate neighbours, I also once a week take a plastic bag and pick up the litter which the British people are renowned for dumping.
Oh, I’ve received a number of choice comments, “It's council’s job”, “I should sweep up as well”. The best one, I must admit, was during winter. I not only swept the snow clear of the pavement, I dropped road salt down in which to keep it clear. A woman who had walked up the ice encrusted pavement, duly informed me that if she slipped on my cleared path, she would sue me. You don’t really need to know how I replied. Suffice to say she shut up.
Anyway, Richard and Lynne Small who live in Hull, decided to clear up the litter infested garden of an abandoned house on their council estate. However, for their good neighbourly behaviour they were arrested by 4 policemen, taken to the police station in handcuffs and charged with attempted burglary and refusing a police drug test. (Only in the UK do they test you for taking drugs for picking litter up.)
However, today a judge threw out the case against them and lambasted the police for wasting the taxpayers money (£2,000) on such a mindless endeavour. He also awarded the couple £10 for their public spirit. Only in the UK can you get arrested, jailed and taken to court for cleaning up what the council are paid to do.
Here is a picture of the actual garden the couple were trying to clear up.
Oh, I’ve received a number of choice comments, “It's council’s job”, “I should sweep up as well”. The best one, I must admit, was during winter. I not only swept the snow clear of the pavement, I dropped road salt down in which to keep it clear. A woman who had walked up the ice encrusted pavement, duly informed me that if she slipped on my cleared path, she would sue me. You don’t really need to know how I replied. Suffice to say she shut up.
Anyway, Richard and Lynne Small who live in Hull, decided to clear up the litter infested garden of an abandoned house on their council estate. However, for their good neighbourly behaviour they were arrested by 4 policemen, taken to the police station in handcuffs and charged with attempted burglary and refusing a police drug test. (Only in the UK do they test you for taking drugs for picking litter up.)
However, today a judge threw out the case against them and lambasted the police for wasting the taxpayers money (£2,000) on such a mindless endeavour. He also awarded the couple £10 for their public spirit. Only in the UK can you get arrested, jailed and taken to court for cleaning up what the council are paid to do.
Here is a picture of the actual garden the couple were trying to clear up.
