Four-figure costs for Pembrokeshire man who refused to remove rat-infested rubbish
A Pembrokeshire resident has landed a four-figure fine after repeatedly ignoring council demands to remove a rat-infested pile of rubbish from outside his property.
At a recent hearing at Haverfordwest magistrates court, Gavin James of 18 Vicary Cresent, Milford Haven was served with a Criminal Behaviour Order after repeatedly ignoring orders to remove household waste and refuse from his property. Magistrates were told that the rubbish had been attracting rats and other vermin.
Pembrokeshire County Council officials described the rubbish as 'a genuine public health concern', however James continuously refused to engage with Council officers and ignored all orders to remove it.
James and his family had previously been provided with skips, while the Council had also engaged a private contractor to remove the waste. But despite their efforts, fresh waste began accumulating at the property yet again.
James had also ignored a previous Community Protection Warning and a Community Protection Notice, as well as multiple notices served under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act.
The court was told that incidents of public disorder, anti-social behaviour and intimidating behaviour, including the playing of loud music, have also impacted on nearby residents.
James was listed to appear before magistrates earlier this week, charged with failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice. However his failure to attend resulted in the case being heard in his absence.
He was served with a Criminal Behaviour Order which is the the first of its kind to be secured by the Council’s Public Protection service. Failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a term of imprisonment for up to four years. The CBO will run indefinitely.
James was also ordered to pay a £300 fine, a court surcharge of £120 and full costs to Pembrokeshire County Council totalling £2,759.
Gaynor Toft, Council Head of Housing and Public Protection, said: “I wholeheartedly support the application for and the granting of the Criminal Behaviour Order in this case, and thank all those who have worked so hard to achieve it.
“The failure to engage with officers and ignore orders to remove the waste and health hazard in this case is staggering.
“There have been multiple occasions and opportunities where this situation could have been resolved. However, I hope that this case shows that we simply will not allow residents to ignore rules and court orders and continue to adversely impact the lives of other people.
“Where we identify behaviours that impact the community, the Public Protection service, alongside Dyfed-Powys Police colleagues and members of the Community Safety Partnership will respond and will further the use of the CBO process where appropriate."
Four-figure costs for Pembrokeshire man who refused to remove rat-infested rubbish
A Pembrokeshire resident has landed a four-figure fine after repeatedly ignoring council demands to remove a rat-infested pile of rubbish from outside his property.
At a recent hearing at Haverfordwest magistrates court, Gavin James of 18 Vicary Cresent, Milford Haven was served with a Criminal Behaviour Order after repeatedly ignoring orders to remove household waste and refuse from his property. Magistrates were told that the rubbish had been attracting rats and other vermin.
Pembrokeshire County Council officials described the rubbish as 'a genuine public health concern', however James continuously refused to engage with Council officers and ignored all orders to remove it.
James and his family had previously been provided with skips, while the Council had also engaged a private contractor to remove the waste. But despite their efforts, fresh waste began accumulating at the property yet again.
James had also ignored a previous Community Protection Warning and a Community Protection Notice, as well as multiple notices served under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act.
The court was told that incidents of public disorder, anti-social behaviour and intimidating behaviour, including the playing of loud music, have also impacted on nearby residents.
James was listed to appear before magistrates earlier this week, charged with failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice. However his failure to attend resulted in the case being heard in his absence.
He was served with a Criminal Behaviour Order which is the the first of its kind to be secured by the Council’s Public Protection service. Failure to comply with the order can result in a fine or a term of imprisonment for up to four years. The CBO will run indefinitely.
James was also ordered to pay a £300 fine, a court surcharge of £120 and full costs to Pembrokeshire County Council totalling £2,759.
Gaynor Toft, Council Head of Housing and Public Protection, said: “I wholeheartedly support the application for and the granting of the Criminal Behaviour Order in this case, and thank all those who have worked so hard to achieve it.
“The failure to engage with officers and ignore orders to remove the waste and health hazard in this case is staggering.
“There have been multiple occasions and opportunities where this situation could have been resolved. However, I hope that this case shows that we simply will not allow residents to ignore rules and court orders and continue to adversely impact the lives of other people.
“Where we identify behaviours that impact the community, the Public Protection service, alongside Dyfed-Powys Police colleagues and members of the Community Safety Partnership will respond and will further the use of the CBO process where appropriate."