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A pair of South Tyneside residents have been ordered to pay nearly £1,600 after being prosecuted for ignoring notices to clear up waste.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ took legal action against Michael Taylor after enforcement officers were informed of up to 20 domestic waste sacks and other items built up in a back yard in Talbot Road, South Shields, in August.

The Council wrote to the property owner as well as served a notice in September instructing that the waste be removed within seven days.

South Tyneside Magistrates Court heard that both the letter and notice were ignored.

Mr Taylor, aged 58, of Coston Drive, South Shields, was prosecuted for failing to comply with the notice that was served under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

He was fined £660 in his absence and ordered to pay £100 costs and victim surcharge of £66.

In another case, Adele Handley, aged 45, of Julian Street, South Shields, was prosecuted in relation to a quantity of dismantled wardrobes and wood which had been witnessed being flytipped in her back lane in August.

Enforcement officers served a notice asking for the occupier of the address to attend an interview under caution to answer questions about the wood being illegally abandoned in the lane. When the notice was ignored, a further notice served under Section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 required Handley to attend at interview.

An offence was committed when the second notice was also disregarded.

Magistrates fined Handley £600 in her absence. She was also ordered to pay £100 costs and a £66 victim surcharge.

A Â鶹ÊÓƵ spokesperson said: "The Council spends more than £2m a year keeping the Borough clean and tidy, with the illegal disposal of waste placing an additional burden on taxpayers.

"Rubbish left lying around is also unsightly. More importantly, it can pose a risk to public health as it can attract vermin.

"In both cases, the Council was left with no other option but to clear up the waste and pursue the matters through the courts.

"These significant fines show how seriously the courts view these offences. We hope these prosecutions serve as a reminder to others that we will, and we do, take action against those who fail to comply with the notices that are served upon them."

To report fly-tipping contact Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively Report It online via the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/reportit

Further information about the safe and responsible disposal of waste can also be found at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling