Calderdale man hit with fine after failing to clean up waste mountain

He ignored calls to clear the detritus, which included furniture and clothing, from a Great Horton property that was just yards from a primary school.

Mohammed Noor Khan, 61, of Howden Brook, Shelf, is the owner of the property in question – 20 Cross Lane.

Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court found him guilty of failing to comply with a community protection notice issued to him last July.

He was handed a fine and given 21 days to clear the waste.

Prosecutor Harjit Ryatt said enforcement officers from Bradford Council visited the house in May last year after receiving complaints from the neighbours about mounds of accumulated rubbish in the garden.

They found piles of carpets, mattresses, furniture and other household rubbish in the front, side and rear garden of the property – with little sign the waste was going to be cleared any time soon.

Khan was given a warning letter to remove the rubbish, and then issued with a Community Protection Notice when he failed to comply.

When he was spoken to by Council officers, Khan agreed to remove the rubbish and install a gate at the property to allegedly stop people using his garden as a tip.

When officers visited again in September, a gate had been installed – but the rubbish was still there.

“It was beginning to smell and there were concerns that it would attract rodents,” said Mr Ryatt who pointed out to the court that the property was close to St Oswald’s Primary School.

Khan did not attend court nor write to the Court, and failed to send an explanation of why he wasn’t there. He was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice.

He was ordered to pay a £660 fine, as well as £880 costs and a £60 Victim Surcharge.

Magistrates also issued a Remedial Oder to Mr Khan – which means that if he does not remove the rubbish within 21 days he would be in breach of an express court order and could be summoned back to court.

After the case, Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “There can be no excuse for leaving piles of rubbish lying around on your property, especially after you have been served a Community Protection Notice to get it cleared up.

“It is a blight on the environment and an offensive eyesore for the neighbours as well as being against the law.

“The Council appreciates the support we get from the courts in these types of cases.

“If you see fly-tipping taking place, please note down as many details as possible, including vehicle licence plate numbers and inform the Council.”