$118 ticket for falling cotton thread

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BRYNMAWR, Wales, March 6 (UPI) -- A 71-year-old Welsh woman said she was hit with a $118 littering fine when a small piece of cotton fell from her glove as she was walking.

Valerie George, 71, of Brynmawr, who lives on a pension of $165 per week, said she was shocked when a council environment officer walked up to her as she was strolling down a street and issued her the fine for a cotton thread that fell from her glove to the ground, the Mirror reported Tuesday.

"It's ridiculous," George said. "I caught my watch on my glove and didn't even notice the cotton fall."

A Blaenau Gwent Council spokesman said Monday the fine will be withdrawn as the offense "was committed" but was "not in line" with the council's priorities.