Van driver caught weeing in lay-by ‘ridiculed for prostate problems’ by council worker

A van driver was quizzed by a council worker about his prostate after being spotted relieving himself in a lay-by.

Lee East, 51, said he felt ‘ridiculed’ as he was watched by a council contractor weeing after driving from Clacton in Essex on the A12 in April.

The driver, whose bladder issues and enlarged prostrate mean he has to go to the toilet more often than usual, was handed a £200 fine, or £150 if paid within 15 days, for his discrete act on the roadside.

A clip shows Mr East being confronted by a worker for private investigator Waste Investigations Support and Enforcement, who introduced herself as Anna.

She is heard chastising him and printing out a fine, remarking about how common prostate problems are in men.

The driver is warned he faces a fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record if he is taken to court.

‘I just can’t believe how common it is with men, probably out of 10, potentially five or six, minimum, prostate problems’, the enforcement officer adds.

Anna then proceeded to question Mr East over how often he takes medication.

Mr East explained that his condition meant he could drive past service stations feeling alright one moment but needing to go the next.

The fine was overturned through an appeal, however Colchester City Council said it wouldn’t chalk off a subsequent offence.

Mr East, who has been on the road as a professional for 30 years, has since installed a potable toilet in the back of his van out of fear of being caught again.

‘It just made me feel disgusting, very very angry’, he said.

‘It was quite embarrassing for me. I’m quite a respectful law-abiding citizen, to be caught short in that situation in the first place.’

He added that being questioned by the female council officer was ‘not pleasant at all’.

He said: ‘To feel like you’re being ridiculed, it’s absolutely disgusting.’

Colchester City Council said it took public hygiene complaints seriously but insisted it did not ‘target’ specific groups, instead focusing on ‘known hotspots’ for littering an urination such as lay-bys.

The local authority had said in a statement: ‘Lay-bys can, unfortunately, become locations where this type of behaviour occurs, and our officers carry out proportionate enforcement where necessary to maintain public health and environmental standards.

‘Public urination is an offence and can pose health risks, create unpleasant conditions for other users, and damage the local environment. Our officers act where there is clear evidence of a breach.

The council added that it recognised lorry drivers needed facilities during long journeys but that it was up to National Highways to provide them on major A-roads.

It clarified: ‘Any income from Fixed Penalty Notices is strictly regulated and is not a revenue-generating exercise. It helps cover the costs of enforcement and wider environmental services, such as street cleansing and tackling fly-tipping.

‘Council enforcement officers are salaried employees and do not receive commission or incentives for issuing fines.

‘We fully understand the challenges faced by the logistics sector, particularly around rest provision, and we support constructive discussions with partners about improved facilities at a national and regional level.

‘However, a lack of facilities does not make illegal activity acceptable.

‘Our responsibility is to balance the needs of all road users with the expectations of residents and communities, who rightly expect clean, safe and well-managed public spaces.

‘We will continue to take a fair, proportionate and evidence-led approach, issuing advice where appropriate and enforcement action where necessary.’

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