A MAN from Nelson has been fined £200 for leaving out his wheelie bin long after collection day.
Faraz Khan (57), of Brunswick Street, failed to appear at Reedley Magistrates’ Court, but the case was proved in his absence.
In early November, 2012, Mr Khan was sent a warning letter after his bin had been seen left out on the street.
But he did not take in his bin and on November 15th, a Section 46 notice was served on him.
This required him to take immediate action to store his bin within his property.
But he failed to do this and, in December, he was sent a fixed penalty notice for £80. However, he did not pay this and was subsequently taken to court.
In court, the magistrate fined Mr Khan £200 and ordered him to pay £70 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Coun. John David, who represents environmental services in Pendle, said: “Leaving out your wheelie bin is unsightly, inconsiderate to others, and can also cause an obstruction to traffic and pedestrians.
“Under the Environmental Protection Act, we take action against people who persistently do this.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve sent 760 letters to residents who persistently leave out their bins after we’ve emptied them.
“We’ve issued 93 notices leading to five fixed penalty notices requiring people to pay a fine of £80.
“And if the fines go unpaid and we have to take people to court, the magistrates hand out steep fines, showing they take this offence seriously.
“In the last 12 months, five Pendle people have been prosecuted in court for this offence.”
Pendle residents can put out their bins and recycling boxes before 7-30am on collection day, but certainly no earlier than 6pm the day before.
To report an area where bins are persistently left out after collection day, call 661743 or email waste.services@pendle.gov.uk.