SIX property owners and residents have been ordered to pay more than £3,500 in court fines and charges for refusing to clear away rubbish when ordered by a council.

It is part of a crackdown on waste offences during the coronavirus pandemic.

The six were prosecuted by Blackburn with Darwen Council between February and October this year.

The courts heard that the defendants had ignored repeated calls from the town hall officials to clean up the rubbish and offers of support to do so.

Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s environment boss said: “We don’t take action like this lightly, but I hope cases like these act as a real warning to anyone who thinks it's okay to let rubbish pile up on their properties.

“Even landlords who don’t live in the area will be named, shamed and hit with hefty fines for leaving a mess in our borough.

"It is a blight on the environment and it is not fair on the residents who live nearby.

“Residents should not have to tolerate their neighbour’s mess. I encourage anyone to get in touch if you are having issues where you live.”

He said the council’s environmental waste crime team had been working hard throughout the pandemic to make sure that the borough is kept free from piles of rubbish.

All six were found guilty in their absence by magistrates of environmental offences.

Landlord Philip Ashton, 58, of The Drive, Brockhall Village, was prosecuted following complaints about issues with rubbish in the rear yard of a property he rents out in Infirmary Street, Blackburn, which was deemed to provide harbourage for rats and mice.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Infirmary Street, Blackburn

He was fined £220 with £320 costs and a £32 victim surcharge ­— a total penalty of £572.

The other five were prosecuted for ignoring council orders to clear rubbish piles in rear yards.

Kayleigh Anne Jolley, 29, of Warwick Court, Blackburn was fined £440 with £320 costs and a £32 victim surcharge ­— a total penalty of £792.

Ryan Talbot, 33, Whitehaven Close, Blackburn, was fined £440 with £320 costs and a £44 victim surcharge - total penalty of £804.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Whitehaven Close, Blackburn

Wayne Mason, 43, of Accrington Road, Blackburn was fined £440 with £320 costs and a £44 victim surcharge ­— a total penalty of £804.

Alexander O’Neill, 30, of Seven Trees Avenue, Blackburn was fined £220 with £160 costs and a £34 victim surcharge ­— a total penalty of £414.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Seven Trees Avenue, Blackburn

Crystal Savery, 30, of Seven Trees Avenue, Blackburn, was fined £220 with £160 costs and a £34 victim surcharge ­— total penalty of £414.