An Oldham man has been taken to court after leaving bags of rubbish on the pavement near to his home. Martin McDonagh appeared at Tameside Magistrates Court after leaving rubbish on the ground close to his house on County Street, and failing to put it into his wheelie bin.
Oldham Council says the 31-year-old 'left his waste out and expected others to clean it up'. McDonagh pleaded guilty to a Duty of Care offence - meaning he admitted failing to either put his rubbish in his bin, take it to the tip, or get a licenced person to collect it for him.
He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £200 costs by magistrates, as well as a £34 victim surcharge. The prosecution comes as Oldham Council continues its Don’t Trash Oldham campaign.
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The local authority says extra resources have been invested into tidying up every ward in the borough, with work currently taking place in Hollinwood. But the council insists it needs the support of residents to keep the borough free of dumped waste, litter and fly-tipping.
Coun Jean Stretton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “All your household waste should go in your grey bin - don’t leave it bagged up at the side of the street or in alleyways. Putting out extra waste such as black bags is fly-tipping.
"It makes an area look untidy, can attract rats and vermin and takes up space that is needed for other residents, such as social activities or an area for children to play in. If your grey bin regularly gets full then consider if you can recycle more of your waste to help your community and help the environment.
"Alternatively, you can take your rubbish to the tip or in certain circumstances you can order an additional bin. It is important that everyone cleans up after themselves as we will continue to take action to help improve local areas.”
Since the Don’t Trash Oldham campaign began, Oldham Council has issued 398 fixed penalty notices for failing to put rubbish in appropriate bins. The council has also taken 44 people to court and recovered fines and costs in excess of £28,000, while another 121 cases are going through the legal system.
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