12 April 2024 , 16:34
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Two people have been ordered to pay an eye-watering fine of £2000 after failing to clear disgusting waste from their garden - and abandoning a vehicle outside their home.
Peter Horsley and Kirsty Bowden faced legal action from Durham County Council after a neighbourhood warden uncovered a mass of waste at their home in Stanley. The pair, both aged 42, were handed a community protection warning - this gave them seven days to remove the waste, which consisted of kitchen cupboards, a scooter, mattresses, and other household waste.
However, the waste hadn't moved after seven days, leadind the warden to slap them with another notice. After the period of the second notice passed, the warden revisited the property to find the waste was still present. Bowden and Horsley were then issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 which was unpaid.
Peterlee Magistrates Court also heard that outside the property was a Ford Transit van, which the warden believed to have been abandoned. The van contained waste and was missing a wheel.
The abandoned vanAccording to checks, Horsley was the registered keeper of the vehicle, which was untaxed and did not have an MOT certificate. The vehicle was seized by the council and Horsley was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice which was not paid, reported ChronicleLive.
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The pair were found guilty of failing to comply with the community protection notice. Bowden was fined £440 and ordered to pay a £176 victim surcharge and £230 costs - this totalled £846.
Horsley was also found guilty of an additional charge of abandoning a vehicle and was ordered to pay a £660 fine, £264 victim surcharge and £230 costs, totalling £1154. Both were also issued with Criminal Behaviour Orders. Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s community protection manager, said: “Whether it is dumped as a flytip, or left to build up at a property, waste has a serious impact on the environment, neighbours, and communities.
“Despite two warnings, Bowden and Horsley failed to take responsibility for their waste, which resulted in avoidable fines. Not only that, but a vehicle containing more waste was left abandoned outside of the property. This case shows that, no matter where the waste is, we will take enforcement action against those who think it is acceptable to dump waste that should be disposed of correctly using the right facilities.”