Prosecution after bags of household rubbish found dumped

A woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,600 in fines and court costs after sacks of rotting rubbish belonging to her were twice found dumped on grass verges near her home.

At Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (5 July) was Adele Batchelor (33) of Campion Court, Bellinge, Northampton, who admitted two offences under Section 34 of the Environmental Health Act following a successful prosecution brought by West Northamptonshire Council.

The court heard how Neighbourhood Wardens on patrol in the Bellinge area in December 2019 found a large sack containing 9 black bins full of rubbish dumped on a grass verge. After tracing the rubbish to Batchelor, they issued her with a £400 fixed penalty notice.

When Batchelor ignored the notice a case was prepared for prosecution. However the legal action was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

And when a large number of sacks and carrier bags containing rotting and decomposing household waste were also traced back to Batchelor after being discovered in Bellinge in March 2021, the cases were combined in a single prosecution.

Appearing before Magistrates on Tuesday, Batchelor pleaded guilty to two counts of failing in her duty of care for her household waste, stating she had left the rubbish there after paying someone to clear it for her, but that they had failed to collect it.

Magistrates fined her £270 for each offence and ordered her to pay court costs amounting to £1,000, plus victim surcharges totalling £66.

A collection order for £1,606 was issued, with Batchelor ordered to pay £50 per month until the fines are paid.

We are determined to tackle environmental crime across West Northamptonshire. It spoils our towns and countryside and has a negative effect on the people living here, which is why we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against the perpetrators.

I hope the results of court cases like this sends out a strong message that environmental crime such as this will not be tolerated in West Northamptonshire.Councillor David Smith, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services