Woman slapped with £500 fine for letting rubbish pile build up by home and ignoring pleas from furious neighbours

A WOMAN has been slapped with a £500 fine after she let mountains of rubbish pile up in her garden, ignoring neighbours' complaints.

Lesley Staniland, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, was hit with the penalty charge for ignoring a Community Protection Notice (CPN) from the council.

A disgusting photo show bags of rubbish piled up by her home, including what appears to be household and garden waste.

Ms Staniland was apparently given several warnings before being given the CPN and offered help to clear up the mess by Ashfield District Council.

However, despite the offer of support, she failed to take any action and the case was taken to court.

On 18 August, she was found guilty of violating her CPN at Mansfield Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay the £500 fine and a £50 victim surcharge.

The council were also awarded legal costs of £603.22.

Executive Lead Member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction at Ashfield District Council, Councillor Helen-Ann Smith described the decision as a "fantastic result for the community safety team".

Discussing Ms Staniland, she added: "She ignored numerous warnings to clear the waste from her garden and showed total disregard for her neighbours and the environment.

"A problem that was easy to fix has now resulted in a costly fine."

The councillor finished by saying the decision should act as a warning to anyone considering dumping rubbish.

"The council is committed to dealing with anti-social behaviour and the minority who negatively impact other residents' lives," she said.

It comes after The Sun reported the struggles of locals in Hyde, Greater Manchester in dealing with an unknown fly-tipper.

Similarly, residents in Croydon have been menaced in recent months by people dumping rubbish all around the area.