A COUNCIL has successfully prosecuted 18 householders for allowing rubbish to pile up in their rear gardens.

The Blackburn with Darwen residents and landlords were ordered to pay a combined total of £11,215.74 in court fines and charges.

The penalties were imposed by Blackburn magistrates.

The 18 were summonsed to court by the borough's Environmental Crime Team because their rear gardens were piled high with unsightly waste.

Lancashire Telegraph: Gary Costello's mess in Abraham StreetGary Costello's mess in Abraham Street

The Blackburn with Darwen rubbish hoarders fined by the Council are:

 

  • Gary Costello of Abraham Street, Blackburn; fined £687
  • Laura Agnew of Atlas Road, Darwen; fined £687
  • Louise Callaghan of Edmund Street, Darwen; fined £687
  • Louise Taylor of Levensgarth Avenue, Preston; fined £569
  • Carly McCrudden of Walsh Street, Blackburn; fined £559
  • Scott Spencer of Whittaker Street, Blackburn; fined £811
  • Sharon Macleod of Walsh Street, Blackburn; fined £258
  • David Kelly of Walsh Street, Blackburn; fined £355.50
  • Chloe Livesey of Bonsall Street, Blackburn; fined £687
  • Michael McInerney of Brindle Road, Preston; fined £687
  • Leoni Willey of Agnes Street, Blackburn; fined £569
  • Shannon Read of Hancock Street, Blackburn; fined £569
  • Dean Simpson of Angela Street, Blackburn; fined £569
  • Elaine Sutcliffe of Francis Street, Blackburn; fined £687
  • Kyle Wilson of Hertford Street, Blackburn; fined £569
  • Rowen Hayes of Hindle Street, Darwen; fined £569
  • Damian Berry of Lower Hollin Bank Street, Blackburn; fined £569

Lancashire Telegraph: Dean Simpson's mess in Angela StreetDean Simpson's mess in Angela Street

All were prosecuted under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) which requires the removal of waste within 14 days of service of an order to remove it.

Blackburn with Darwen Council environment boss, Councillor Jim Smith, said: "We will not tolerate rubbish being allowed to build up and blight our communities.

"Piles of rubbish are not just unsightly, they cause serious issues – including bad smells and attracting vermin. There’s absolutely no excuse for it.

Lancashire Telegraph: The mess in Hertford Street caused by Kyle SimpsonThe mess in Hertford Street caused by Kyle Simpson

"The vast majority of residents take pride in their homes so it’s important we do everything in our power to take action against those who don’t as it impacts on those living nearby.

"I would like to thank our Environmental Waste Crime Team for their hard work in bringing forward these prosecutions, as well as all members of the public who report waste offences to us.

"Last year it oversaw 125 successful prosecutions."