Five South Leeds residents are counting the cost of falling foul of environmental laws.
Four of the five were found guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court last week for failing to deal with rubbish properly while the other contravened a Dog Control Order.
Julie Thompson of Brompton Row, Beeston Hill was fined £200 for throwing loose items of household waste straight into her garden at a previous address. When rubbish was bagged it was also left to accumulate in the garden instead of going in the wheeled bin provided. She was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £403.63.
Rubbish from refurbishment works left to pile up in the front garden of Shaida Misri’s Atha Street property ended up with a £400 fine for the Cross Flatts resident. Costs of £481.77 and a victim surcharge of £40 must also be paid.
Another £400 fine was handed out to Andrea Dutton of Tempest Road, Beeston when she left rubbish to build up in her yard. She was also ordered to pay £548.50 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge.
Hayley Kitson of Manor Farm Drive, Middleton, left furniture and waste piled up in her garden. She also allowed dog faeces to accumulate to such an extent it caused a public health issue. Both offences resulted in a £675 fine plus a £40 victim surcharge and £400 costs.
In each case, the defendants were given ample time and advice to move and deal with the waste. Failure to do so resulted in legal notices under sections 46 and 92a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 being issued as well as s79 of the Public Health Act 1936 in Kitson’s case. Ignoring these in all cases lead to prosecution.
Deborah Hooton of Thorpe View, Middleton allowed her dog to roam unattended on a public highway. This contravenes Leeds’ Dog Control Orders designed to keep dogs and road users safe and to ensure owners pick up after their pets. Having pleaded guilty, Hooton was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge along with costs of £629.33.
Councillor Mark Dobson, executive member for cleaner, stronger and safer communities, said:
“These residents have displayed a real disregard for their neighbours and communities by failing to sort out their rubbish or letting their pets wander. Waste left to accumulate like this is not just unsightly; it can become a magnet for pests and can encourage flytipping while dogs straying and fouling is simply unacceptable.
“We’ve always said that we are happy to work with people and we have services to help but we can and will take legal action to nip this type of negative behaviour in the bud.”
Information on waste services and clean streets can be found at www.leeds.gov.uk/waste.
