A Pembrokeshire tenant who continued to let rubbish pile up outside his home attracting rats and vermin - despite receiving multiple warnings - is facing a hefty court bill.
Richard Cook of Trafalgar Road, Haverfordwest, had been issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) following repeated incidents where refuse and household waste was left outside the property.
The situation reached a level where it was considered to be a risk to public health, safety and welfare and the rubbish was attracting rats.
Despite visits from Pembrokeshire County Council Environmental Services staff to educate and offer advice, plus warnings from Public Health officers and Mr Cook’s landlords ATEB, the situation remained unchanged.
The CPN was issued on November 29, 2023, requiring Mr Cook to remove all refuse and household waste from the front and the rear grounds of the property and dispose of it appropriately within 14 days.
When the CPN was served there was a large accumulation of uncovered black refuse sacks containing household waste, old cardboard boxes and a smashed door left in the front of the property.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, a PCC Public Health Officer attended again at the property and found there was still refuse/ household waste and a mass of uncovered black bags piled in a large heap at the front of the property.
The tenant had also made no effort whatsoever to clear the refuse and accumulated waste from the rear grounds of the property.
A prosecution was subsequently taken for breach of the CPN.
Mr Cook failed to attend Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 4 and the case was proved in his absence.
He was fined £440 and must pay surcharge of £176, plus full costs of £1,235.90.
The Council will now consider direct action and charging the outstanding amount back from Mr Cook.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, Council Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services, said requests for the defendant to resolve the matter had ‘simply been ignored’ and the council was left with no choice but to use the powers available to force removal of the waste which has been attracting rats and vermin.