Police 'waste' $10,000 on apple core case

Published: July 2, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Order reprints
SWINTON, England, July 2 (UPI) -- A British man arrested for allegedly dropping an apple core said police wasted nearly $10,000 investigating him before dismissing a littering charge.

Keith Hirst, 54, a former plumber with heart problems, was taken into police custody April 21, after an officer accused him of letting an apple core fall to the ground, the Telegraph reported Wednesday.

Police took a DNA sample from Hirst, got his fingerprints and jailed him for 18 hours, the newspaper said.

Hirst received medical attention twice while being held because he said he was experiencing chest pain and dizziness.

Hirst was scheduled to go to court in coming days, but officials said charges of littering and obstructing a police officer against him have been dismissed.

Officials are believed to have spent about $10,000 on police labor and other preparatory efforts in Hirst's case, the newspaper said.

Hirst said he thinks the "whole thing has been a complete waste of money."


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


USO attempting to change public image (3 min)
At least seven killed in bus crash (6 min)
Foo Fighters to perform at White House (7 min)
China: At least 13 killed in storms (9 min)
Media expected to swamp Jackson memorial (11 min)
Obama urges Morocco help on Mideast peace (14 min)
UPI NewsTrack TopNews (42 min)
German bar owner imprisoned for drinking contest that killed a 16-year-old. Bonus: The boy had 45...
Photo radar ends in Livingston Parish after ticket camera van keeps getting ticketed and towed for...
The Statue of Liberty's crown will open today for the first time since 9/11. However the torch will...
Why July 2 is actually Independence Day. Not that historical inaccuracy has ever stopped Americans...
Joey Chestnut or Takeru Kobayashi? Or perhaps a dark horse. It's your Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest...
19 yr old female motorist is cut off. Does she? C: Ram the other car with her auto. Throw a milkshake...