Information on Loughborough

Pay The Fine Or Face The Consequences

Posted on 27/02/2008
R. Reed

rubbish in Loughborough

PEOPLE who fail to pay Fixed Penalty Notices for environmental crimes are being warned they could face hefty punishments after Charnwood Borough Council carried out two successful prosecutions.

Andrew Philip Dover and Rebecca Hyatt both face bills of more than £400 following non-payment of an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice issued to them for littering.

Dover, who was found guilty in his absence by Loughborough Magistrates after he failed to turn up at court for the hearing, was fined £250 for dumping a bag of clothes and other unwanted rubbish in Blackbrook Road, Loughborough, on July 26 last year.

The 32-year-old, of Blackbrook Road, Loughborough, was also ordered to pay costs of £167.25 and a Victim Surcharge of £15 at Tuesday’s case.

Hyatt pleaded guilty in writing to leaving a bag of rubbish next to a bin on Hannah Parade, Birstall, on July 26 last year.

Leicester Magistrates fined the 20-year-old £200, ordered her to pay costs of £244 as well as a £15 Victim Surcharge when the case was heard last Wednesday (February 20th).

Both Dover and Hyatt were charged with one count of non-payment of a fixed penalty notice for littering contrary to section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

In both instances, the case would have been closed if they had paid the Fixed Penalty Notice, which is reduced to £50 if settled within 10 days of the date of the offence.

After 10 days, the fine rises to £80 and if it has not been paid within a fortnight of the offence taking place, court proceedings could eventually begin.

Cllr Mike Preston, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for the Environment, said: “The message is simple - committing this type of environmental crime is unacceptable in Charnwood and will incur a penalty.

“And if you receive a Fixed Penalty Notice, make sure you pay it quickly to avoid the consequences of a bigger financial punishment.”

“We will take action against people who blight the Borough with litter and will track down those people who refuse to pay the fines.

“Our Street Management Team are doing a sterling job in ensuring Charnwood is a clean and green place and, hopefully, these cases will make people think twice before dropping rubbish in the Borough.”

Anyone with information about instances of environmental crimes is encouraged to contact Charnwood Borough Council.

Calls can be made in complete confidence to (01509) 634 657 or 634 905. Alternatively, email cleaner.greener@charnwood.gov.uk