January 25, 2018 10.16 am This story is over 74 months old

Hefty fine for Scunthorpe woman who used garden as rubbish tip

A large fine.
Rubbish piled up at an address on Mary Street in Scunthorpe. Photo: Google Street View

A Scunthorpe woman has been fined almost £1,500 for allowing a huge amount of rubbish to build up in her garden.

Complaints were made about the smells coming from rotting food inside Sharon Raspin’s garden on Mary Street, as well as around 30 black bags containing household waste.

Environmental health officers from North Lincolnshire Council visited the property on Feburary 23 last year and ordered her to move the waste after considering it was a statutory nuisance.

Raspin did not remove the waste in time and the council removed it at her cost on March 7.

However, following this she allowed waste to build up again on June 13, July 20, and August 4.

Raspin, who no longer lives in the area, was found guilty in her absence at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court on January 12.

She was fined £500, ordered to pay £583 in clear-up and investigation costs, £200 in court costs, and a victim surcharge of £170.

In total she was fined £1,453.

Councillor Richard Hannigan, cabinet member for safer, greener and cleaner places, said: “It is completely unacceptable for waste to be left to build up in this way. Not only does it pose a health risk for the owner but also other residents.

“We take this type of issue very seriously and will take action to prosecute, where necessary.

“Sharon Raspin continued to flout the law and allowed bags of rubbish to build-up in her garden.

“We provide a comprehensive waste and recycling service for residents to get rid of their waste in an easy and safe way. Yet she chose not to use this and now faces a hefty fine.”