Two given £2k bill for failing to move waste
ATAKEAWAY owner and householder have been hit with more than £2,000 in legal bills after failing to remove waste from their properties
Mendi Khan was prosecuted by Rossendale council for failing to remove waste from the rear of Capana Takeaway on Blackburn Road, Haslingden.
Council bosses said the waste consisted of decaying rubbish which ‘could have led to an attraction of pests’.
Khan, 40, of Edith Street, Blackburn, was found guilty in his absence at Burnley Magistrates Court of being the occupier of the land and failing to comply with a council notice over a five-week period between June and July 2017.
He was fined £440 and ordered to pay £602.56 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.
Richard Gordon Ashworth, of Brown Street, Bacup, was also taken to court by the council following complaints from residents.
The 37-year-old had allowed rotting household rubbish to build up in his back yard, the authority said.
He was served with a legal notice on June 15 this year to remove the waste but had still not complied by July 11.
The rubbish was then removed by the council and a prosecution was brought against him.
Ashworth was found guilty in his absence at Burnley Magistrates Court of failing to comply with the notice and was fined £440 and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the court hearings, councillor Jackie Oakes, portfolio holder for operations at Rossendale council, said: “The council takes waste issues like these very seriously as they can attract and harbour pests like rats and are also an eyesore for local residents.
“Therefore I would urge residents to report such issues so that we can investigate and take the appropriate action. Reports can be made by contacting the council’s operations team on 01706 217777, option 3.
“I’d also like to thank all of the council officers who worked hard to bring these cases to court and are dedicated to keeping Rossendale a clean and green borough.”