Failure to remove excess waste from a garden in Pembroke Dock has resulted in a Court fine for a Council tenant.

A Community Protection Warning Notice was issued to Sheena Deacon to remove accumulated waste at her home at Wavell Crescent but it was not cleaned up.

The court charges stemmed from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions, with the breaches occurring on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.

The accumulation of waste in the property’s garden was causing rodent infestation and presented a health hazard.

Engagement with the tenant, and investigations by the Council’s Public Health and Public Protection division were carried out prior to the issuing of the notice.

This resulted in Pembrokeshire County Council serving a Community Protection Notice which was also not complied with, leading to a Court hearing.

Deacon faced charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.

The defendant did not attend the hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court last month and was fined £200 for each offence, with five breaches of the CPN charges put and was ordered to pay £1,000 towards costs.

If the waste is not removed, a Criminal Behaviour Order can be applied for under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act, breaches of which could lead to further penalties being issued by the Court.

The Local Authority’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services Cllr Jacob Williams commented: “The Public Protection teams work hard to ensure Council tenants are not put a risk form health hazards caused by anti-social behaviour of this nature.

“We will always seek to work with tenants to resolve these issues but will use further powers to improve residential environments when required.”