A council is reminding residents of the need to dispose of waste responsibly following the prosecution of a woman in County Durham.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard a Durham County Council neighbourhood warden discovered a box full of household waste on Eleventh Street in Horden while patrolling the area.
An addressed letter found within the box identified the rubbish belonged to Elizabeth Cash, who lives on nearby Twelfth Street.
The neighbourhood warden wrote to Cash asking her to get in touch but received no reply, prompting him to hand deliver a section 108 letter requesting her attendance at a Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act interview. Cash failed to attend, which resulted in Durham County Council taking the matter to court.
Cash, 37, pleaded guilty to failing to take all measures available to secure the transfer of household waste to an authorised person and a further charge of failing to assist with a fly-tipping investigation.
She was fined £162 and ordered to pay costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £65.
Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “Whether it’s disposing of rubbish via our weekly waste or recycling collections, visiting one of our Household Waste and Recycling Centres or arranging a collection for a bulky item, there are many ways to dispose of waste legally in County Durham.
“Leaving waste on the street in the hope that someone takes it away, is not an acceptable course of action. Not only does it spoil the appearance of the local area but – in the case of food waste – it can attract vermin. Also, if unwanted items are taken, there is no guarantee the person who collects it will dispose of it correctly and you could be held responsible.
“This prosecution demonstrates that we are committed to protecting our communities from fly-tipping and will take action against those who flout the law.”
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