South Shields woman fined after she ignored notice to clear up rubbish from her home

Michelle Nelson, of St Jude’s Terrace, in South Shields, was convicted in her absence of failing to comply with a notice issued under the provision of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

South Tyneside Council took action against the 39-year-old after receiving a report that she had allowed domestic waste to build up in the back yard of her property – with a neighbour also highlighting that her bin was never put out for collection.

A member of the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team found around 20 black bin bags in the small back yard so a notice was served on Miss Nelson to clear the waste.

However she failed to do so or respond to further attempts to contact her to discuss the issue.

As a result, she was fined £200 by magistrates and ordered to pay costs of £100 plus a victim surcharge of £34.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “As well as being unsightly, rubbish left lying around poses a public health risk as it can attract vermin. It is the responsibility of residents to control the build up of waste on their properties.

“We do everything we can to work with residents to sort out these problems and going to court is always a last resort.

“But when notices are left ignored, we have no choice but to prosecute. We will take action against the tiny minority of people who fail to comply with the notices we serve against them.”