Fines of over £5,000 for residents who let rubbish pile up

Four Blackburn residents have been fined a total of £5,216 for allowing rubbish and animal waste to build up in yards outside their homes.

Four residents were each ordered to pay £1,304, which includes fines and court costs.

None of the residents appeared in court, but the cases were heard in their absence.

• Name of defendant: Danielle Woodward
  • Address of defendant: Kirkland Avenue, Blackburn, BB1 5JF
  • Date of offence: 20 December 2022
  • Date of court case: 25 April 2023
  • Details of charge: Resident failed to comply with a section 80 notice of the EPA 1990 – household waste was being accumulated/ stored within the rear yard.
  • Total fine: £1,304
• Name of defendant: Kayleigh Sheldrick
  • Address of defendant: Pilmuir Road, Blackburn, BB2 3JB
  • Date of offence: 6 January 2023
  • Date of court case: 25 April 2023
  • Details of charge: Resident failed to comply with a section 80 notice of the EPA 1990 – household waste was being accumulated/ stored within the rear yard
  • Total fine: £1,304
• Name of defendant: Patrick Collins
  • Address of defendant: Devon Road, Blackburn, BB1 3LA
  • Date of offence: 20 January 2023
  • Date of court case: 25 April 2023
  • Details of charge: Resident failed to comply with a section 80 notice of the EPA 1990 – household waste was being accumulated/ stored within the front yard.
  • Total fine: £1,304
• Name of defendant: Jason Gawthorpe
  • Address of defendant: Moorgate Street, Blackburn, BB2 4PB
  • Date of offence: 23 January 2023
  • Date of court case: 25 April 2023
  • Details of charge: Resident failed to comply with a section 80 notice of the EPA 1990 – animal waste was being accumulated within the rear yard
  • Total fine: £1,304

The charges were brought about by Blackburn with Darwen Council. Executive Member for Environment, Coun Jim Smith said:

These prosecutions send a strong message to everyone that we will not tolerate behaviour that allows our neighbourhoods to look unsightly. By allowing their rubbish to build up, these residents have caused piles of waste that attract vermin and it is completely unacceptable.

I want to thank our Environmental Crime and Legal teams 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.

Council leaders want to remind residents of the need to dispose of their rubbish in the correct way and to consider their impact on the environment.

Visit our recycling website 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.

As well as this, residents can 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, you can book via our waste collection service – please DO NOT fly-tip or leave your items in back alleys or gardens.

Everyone can help us to stop waste crimes by reporting them.