A man has been slapped with a hefty fine after his back garden became filled with so much dog poo his neighbours could no longer stand the stench.
David Elliott, of Northbourne Road in Jarrow, ignored orders from South Tyneside Council to clear up the dog mess, after people living in the area said the smell had become “unbearable”.
Elliott was issued with a community protection notice in August, but the council said it was left with “no choice” to take legal action after he failed to act.
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He was forced to pay £1,024 - including a £264 victim surcharge - despite not bothering to turn up to the hearing.
Elsewhere, Stephen Pearson, from South Crescent in Bolden Colliery, was ordered to pay £480 after rubbish was strewn across Cleadon Hills - including documents with Pearson’s personal details, which led to his identification.
A court heard how “bags of waste” had been dumped illegally in August, with the most audacious item being a bathroom sink that was left to blight the beauty spot
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Meanwhile, blundering Kevin Paul was caught dumping waste illegally on Green Lane, South Shields, after his vehicle was spotted on CCTV in an earlier act of fly-tipping.
Paul, of Don View in West Boldon, was hit with a £660 fine and a £264 victim surcharge, plus £100 in costs.
Councillor Jim Foreman, lead member for housing and community safety at the council, said: “We will always take action against people who fail to clean up after themselves, or dump waste and we hope these fines act as a deterrent to anyone thinking of acting in such a selfish manner.
“Rubbish left lying around is not only unsightly and unpleasant, it can also be hazardous because it can attract vermin.”
South Tyneside Council says it spends more than £2m each year “keeping the borough clean and tidy”.
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