Lincoln woman fined for dumping old furniture

A woman from Lincoln has been fined because she left waste in the driveway of her previous home.

Margaret Bentley of Appleby Way, Lincoln, pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates Court to a charge of disposing waste in a way that could harm the environment or human health.

Due to this, she was ordered to pay full clear up costs of £508 plus £150 towards legal costs and a victim surcharge.

The incident happened on March 28, 2013, when the woman moved out of her home in Greenfinch Crescent, Witham St Hughs to the city.

Instead of arranging for unwanted items to be removed properly, she left it in the carport of the property.

Items left included a mattress, broken mirror, piles of wood, metal, electrical items and several filled refuse sacks stacked to the roof.

No attempt was made to clear the waste away, and the council become concerned for the safety of children who might play in the carport, and the potential of vermin infestation.

North Kesteven District Council removed the waste at a cost of £508.19.

Councillor Richard Wright, Executive Board Member responsible for waste services and enforcement, said: “Although this was domestic rubbish left in what would appear to be a private location, there was open public access, no attempt to do anything to secure it or remove it and, above all, what would seem to be a complete disregard for public safety.

“This case illustrates the dangers of irresponsible dumping of waste in public places, for which there can be no excuse when there is such a comprehensive range of services to help residents dispose of their waste safely, securely and with confidence.”