Peter Horsley and Kirsty Bowden were fined £2000 for failing to clear waste from their garden and abandoning a vehicle outside their home, despite warnings from a neighbourhood warden. The waste included kitchen cupboards, a scooter, mattresses, and other household waste. They were issued a community protection warning to remove the waste, but failed to do so within the given timeframe, leading to a Fixed Penalty Notice that went unpaid. Additionally, a Ford Transit van registered to Horsley was found abandoned outside the property, containing waste and missing a wheel. The van was seized by the council, and Horsley was fined £660 for abandoning the vehicle.
The legal action was taken by Durham County Council, and both individuals, aged 42, were found guilty of failing to comply with the community protection notice. The court ordered Bowden to pay a fine of £440, along with a victim surcharge of £176 and costs of £230, totaling £846. In addition, Horsley was fined £660 for abandoning the vehicle, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £264 and costs of £230, totaling £1154. Both were also issued Criminal Behaviour Orders. Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s community protection manager, emphasized the impact of waste on the environment, neighbors, and communities, and reiterated that enforcement action would be taken against those who fail to dispose of waste correctly.
It was highlighted that waste disposal, whether dumped or left to accumulate on private property, has serious consequences. Despite receiving two warnings, Bowden and Horsley neglected to take responsibility for their waste, resulting in avoidable fines. The abandoned vehicle outside their property further exacerbated the situation. The authorities emphasized the importance of correct waste disposal using appropriate facilities to avoid such penalties. The council took stringent enforcement measures to address the situation, including the seizure of the vehicle and imposing fines on the individuals. The court’s decision sent a strong message about the consequences of improper waste management.
The vehicle registered to Horsley was untaxed and did not have an MOT certificate, leading to its seizure by the council. The failure to pay the Fixed Penalty Notices issued for both the waste accumulation in the garden and the abandoned vehicle further escalated the legal actions taken against the individuals. The court’s decision to issue fines and Criminal Behaviour Orders aimed to hold them accountable for their actions and serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar behavior. The authorities underscored the need for individuals to adhere to waste disposal regulations and dispose of waste appropriately to avoid legal repercussions.
The case involving Peter Horsley and Kirsty Bowden illustrates the importance of proper waste management and the legal consequences of failing to comply with regulations. Their failure to clear waste from their property and abandoning a vehicle resulted in fines totaling £2000 and additional legal actions. The authorities emphasized that waste disposal not only affects the environment but also has implications for neighbors and communities. The enforcement measures taken by Durham County Council aimed to address the issue and underscored the seriousness of improper waste disposal. The fines and Criminal Behaviour Orders issued serve as a reminder for individuals to comply with waste management regulations to avoid legal penalties.
