Two women have been forced to pay more than £704 between them after a range of items were found dumped in an alley outside their house.
A Durham County Council neighbourhood warden discovered the fly-tip in an alley between Surtees Street and Princes Street in Bishop Auckland, where it had been left next to a wheelie bin.
Evidence was found among the waste that linked the rubbish to Jennifer Jordan Moore, aged 33, and Lilly Hogg, aged 23 of Surtees Street in Bishop Auckland.
A letter was sent to the address asking that both women contact the council, but this was ignored. A notice was then served on the pair asking them to attend an interview, which they also failed to do.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how they had both failed to assist in investigations, which cost the local authority £782.
Both Moore and Hogg failed to attend court, and the case was proven guilty in their absence. They were jointly fined £220 in total and were ordered to pay a £88 victim surcharge and £396 in costs, totalling £704.
Ian Hoult, Durham County Council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “If you’re asking someone to get rid of your waste, make sure they are a legitimate business, ask where they are taking it to, and make sure to get a receipt. There are many ways to dispose of waste correctly, and cases like these undercut legitimate traders.
“In Moore and Hogg’s case, we’d like to stress that every fly tip that we clear comes at a cost to the public and taxpayer. There are so many quick and simple ways to dispose of waste correctly, including the many household waste recycling centres across the county and the bulky waste collection service we offer. It takes no time at all and saves the council, and taxpayer, a lot of money.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
