Stanley: Two fined for failing to remove waste from garden

Durham County Council took legal action against Peter Horsley and Kirsty Bowden, both aged 42, after a neighbourhood warden discovered the waste at their address at Hollyhill Gardens West, South Stanley.

Bowden and Horsley were issued with a community protection warning giving them seven days to remove the waste, which consisted of kitchen cupboards, a scooter, mattresses, and other household waste.

Finding the waste was still present after the seven days, the warden issued a second 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 green Ford Transit van, which the warden believed to have been abandoned. The van contained waste and was missing a wheel.

Checks showed that 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.

Bowden and Horsley 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, totalling £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.

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“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.”

For more information on how to report flytipping, as well as how to dispose of bulky waste legally, visit www.durham.gov.uk/flytipping.