News-Woman fined for leaving rubbish in street

Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard one of our neighbourhood wardens 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 us taking the matter to court.

Guilty pleas

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.

Protecting our communities 

Ian Hoult, our neighbourhood protection manager, 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."