A WOMAN who left her dustbin out on the street has been prosecuted by Pendle Council as an example to other miscreants.
Nicola Wilkinson (26) did not take the bin back into her yard in Chapel Street, Nelson, after it was emptied, and now must pay £195 in fines and costs.
She did not attend the hearing at Reedley Magistrates’ Court, but the case went ahead in her absence.
The Bench fined her £110, with a £15 victim surcharge and legal costs of £70.
Later, Coun. John David, who represents environmental services, said: ““People who leave out their bins long after collection day have no regard for the appearance of their neighbourhood. We can and do – as this prosecution proves – take action against people who persistently do this. It’s unsightly and inconsiderate.
“Hopefully this prosecution will make other people think twice about leaving their bins out in future.”
The court was told Ms Wilkinson’s rubbish bins were left outside in the back street after being emptied, making the areas look a mess and creating possible obstructions that could cause accidents.
Council staff noticed them in December, and wrote to her asking her to take them in, but she did not comply so, in March, they sent a formal notice, telling her to put the bin out only on the collection day, and take it in again as soon as possible.
She continued to leave her bins out on the back street, so, in April, the council sent a fixed penalty notice, with £100 fine. Later, council staff sent reminders, but she did not pay the fine, so she was taken her to court.
Coun. David added: “You can put out your bins and recycling boxes before 7-30am on your collection day, but certainly no earlier than 6pm the day before. Taking them in as soon as you can after they have been emptied removes obstructions and keep your neighbourhood looking tidy.”
To report an area where bins are persistently left out after collection day, call the Council on 661743 or email waste.services@pendle.gov.uk