A DOG owner was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £250 plus a victim surcharge of £20, after pleading guilty to a dog fouling offence.

The offence, which occurred in November 2013 in the Fiddler Street area of the town was seen by a witness who provided a statement to the Council's Dog Welfare and Enforcement Service.

Neil Lavery of Owen Street, St Helens, failed to pay the penalty within the prescribed 14 days and appeared at St Helens Magistrates Court yesterday.