Tenant fined for leaving rubbish in garden

A FORMER tenant has been fined £400 after failing to clear a large amount of rubbish in his garden.

Joe Broughton, who privately rented a property on Leicester Road, Dinnington, failed to attend court but was found guilty in his absence by Rotherham Magistrates, who also ordered him to pay costs of £316.25.

The court heard that an enforcement officer from Rotherham Borough Council’s Community Protection Unit initially investigated a complaint from residents in May 2014.

Broughton was served with an abatement n the following month but failed to clear up the mess, despite being given a two-week extension.

Officers returned to find that no attempts had been made to remove the wood, plastics, tyres and bags of rubbish that were blighting the area.

Dave Richmond, Director of Housing, Asset Management and Neighbourhood Services for Rotherham Borough Council, said he hoped the case would serve as a warning to tenants and residents alike.