Published Thursday 27 January 2022 at 14:13
Five residents have been ordered to pay more than £3,000 in court fines and charges over waste offences in Blackburn with Darwen.
Action was taken in four of the five cases when complaints were made to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Environmental Crime Team about rear gardens filled with mounting waste and dog faeces.
In the fifth case, the defendant was caught on CCTV dumping a large amount of waste on the car park at Montrose Street in Blackburn.
All five defendants were summonsed to appear before Blackburn Magistrates after ignoring calls to take action.
You can find the full prosecution details for each individual case below.
Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said:
“We want our residents to be proud of our borough and where we live and so 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.
“The vast majority of residents take pride in their homes and surroundings and 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 and dedication in bringing forward these prosecutions as well as all members of the public who report waste offences to us.
“We would appreciate the continued support of residents by submitting CCTV footage to our Wall of Shame – which will allow us to carry on prosecuting those who disrespect our borough.”
This year, the Council’s Environmental Waste Crime Team has overseen 116 successful prosecutions.
Please help us stop waste crimes by reporting them via the Council website: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/fly-tipping.
You can also help us catch, fine and prosecute those responsible for committing waste crimes by submitting CCTV footage to our Wall of Shame. This will be used as vital evidence in court. Alternatively, you can visit the Wall of Shame to help identify any culprits shown. www.blackburn.gov.uk/wall-of-shame
The Council is also committed to educating and informing residents on the correct ways to responsibly dispose of waste, and the Environment and Waste team have employed an Education Officer to lead on this task.
Visit www.recyclebwd.org to find lots of helpful information, including what items go in what bin, tips and tricks when it comes to household rubbish and translated video guides. The website can also be accessed in many different languages.
Residents should also make use of our two Household Waste Recycling Centres, open over a seven day period in Blackburn and Darwen.
Or, if you’re struggling to remove bulky waste yourself, then book via our waste collection service – please DO NOT fly-tip or leave your items in back alleys.
Full Prosecution Details
Name of defendant: Carl Rampling
Address of defendant: Victoria Street, Darwen.
Date of offence: 3 Nov 2021
Date of court case: 18 Jan 2022
Details of charge: Contrary to section 80 of the EPA 1990 failed to remove waste material within the rear yard of Victoria Street, Darwen.
Plea: Absent
Fine: £660
Costs: £66
Victim Surcharge: £380
TOTAL £1106
Name of defendant: Darren Tomlinson
Address of defendant: Clarence Street, Darwen
Date of offence: 12 Nov 2021
Date of court case: 18 Jan 2022
Details of charge: Contrary to section 80 of the EPA 1990 failed to remove waste material within the rear yard of Clarence Street, Darwen.
Plea: Absent
Fine: £30
Costs: £160
Victim Surcharge: £34
TOTAL £224
Name of defendant: Sallyann Killingbeck
Address of defendant: Clarence Street, Darwen.
Date of offence: 12 Nov 2021
Date of court case: 18 Jan 2022
Details of charge: Contrary to section 80 of the EPA 1990 failed to remove waste material within the rear yard of Clarence Street, Darwen.
Plea: Absent
Fine: £330
Costs: £160
Victim Surcharge: £34
TOTAL £524
Name of defendant: John Chapman
Address of defendant: Radfield Avenue, Darwen.
Date of offence: 15 Nov 2021
Date of court case: 18 Jan 2022
Details of charge: Contrary to section 4 of the PDPA 1949 failed to remove waste material within the rear yard of Radfield Avenue, Darwen.
Plea: Absent
Fine: £440
Costs: £380
Victim Surcharge: £44
TOTAL £864
Name of defendant: Zubeda Haq
Address of defendant: Preston New Road, Blackburn.
Date of offence: 23 July 2021
Date of court case: 14 Jan 2022
Details of charge: Failed to make sure that the vehicle under her control was not used to commit any offence in Contravention with The Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 33 (5).
Plea: Guilty
Fine: £200
Costs: £200
Victim Surcharge: £34
TOTAL £434