03 Oct #Harlow: Two residents prosecuted for non-payment of fines after dumping rubbish
Two people have been successfully prosecuted by Harlow Council for dumping rubbish in Harlow.
The cases, which both relate to offences committed in April 2016, were heard at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 22 September 2016 and led to fines totalling £680 with £434 in court costs. Both cases were brought to court under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (which covers non-payment of fixed penalty notices).
Kelly McLean, of Mallows Green, was summonsed for non-payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued by Officers who were investigating a report of dumped rubbish. Officers spoke to Ms. McLean on 11 April 2016; she admitted dumping the items, which included furniture, outside her property on Council land, and stated she would clear them that day. Officers informed her that failure to do so would result in an FPN being issued. The items still there the next day and Ms. McLean was issued with the FPN, which remained unpaid at the time of going to court. Ms. McLean was found guilty in her absence, and was fined £440 and ordered to pay court costs of £180 as well as a £44 victim surcharge.
Sebastian Igrets, of Barley Croft, was issued with an FPN after the Council received a report of household waste being dumped in the Barley Croft garage area. Officers attended to investigate on 11 April 2016 and found evidence linking the rubbish back to Mr. Igrets. He was subsequently issued with an FPN. Following non-payment of the FPN he was summonsed to court where he pleaded guilty. Mr. Igrets was issued with a fine of £240 and ordered to pay court costs of £180 as well as a £30 victim surcharge.
Commenting on the prosecutions, Councillor Emma Toal, Portfolio Holder for Youth & Community, said:
“These prosecutions help to show that the Council takes unacceptable and irresponsible behaviour like this seriously.
“Dumped rubbish, fly tipping and littering is a constant issue in the town but it is being challenged by the Council. We should all want to maintain a clean environment for those who live and visit Harlow. Our Officers do respond to reports of rubbish dumping and they will take action against those who mess up our town.
“Not only does dumping rubbish cause harm to the environment, it makes the town look messy and contributes to the annual cost of nearly £2m that the Council spends in cleaning up rubbish from the town’s streets and housing estates.
“I want to thank the Council’s Community Safety and Legal Teams for the work they’ve done to achieve these successful prosecutions.”
If you spot dumped rubbish or litter around the town you can report it to us at www.harlow.gov.uk/report
