Four fined over rubbish in South Shields

The cases were heard in front of a district judge at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

The District Judge found Syed Shafiqul Bari, 45, guilty of a charge of failing to comply with a notice under the Prevention of Damage by Pest Act relating to a build-up of rubbish in his back yard at Marshall Wallis Road in South Shields. The case was proven in his absence and he was fined £440 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and costs of £100.

Tenant Bronte Adams, 20, pleaded guilty by post to a charge of failing to comply with a Section 80 notice relating to a build-up of dog faeces and discarded material in her back yard at Hyde Street, South Shields. She was fined £40 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £100.

The third case involved joint owners Brian and Denise Drumm, whose home address is in Cookstone, Co Tyrone, although the charge related to a property in Devonshire Street, South Shields.

The District Judge found them guilty of failing to comply with a Prevention of Damage by Pest Act notice relating to a build-up of refuse and discarded material, including mattresses and armchairs, in their back yard.

The cases were proven in their absence and they were each fined £220 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £22 and costs of £50. They were both also ordered to pay compensation of £218.40 each for work undertaken by the Council to clear and secure the back yard.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “Failing to clear up rubbish and dog faeces can pose a health risk and attract vermin and is a matter we take very seriously."