Kirkby residents ignored council's advice about terrible state of garden

Appearing at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, Carla Stokes and James Silvester were found guilty of breaching a community protection notice after the pair failed to dispose of waste at their house on Harris Road, Kirkby.

The community protection notice was issued to Stokes and Silvester in May last year following complaints from neighbours about the state of the property’s garden.

Officers from Ashfield District Council’s anti-social behaviour and nuisance team provided advice, support and guidance to both Stokes and Silvester about how to correctly dispose of their waste – but this advice was ignored.

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The complaints continued from neighbours, leading to the council making a decision to take enforcement action against the pair.

Failing to appear at the Mansfield court, a legal fine was imposed on each defendant of £120, with a further contribution of £260 to the council’s overall court costs.

Councillor Daniel Williamson, cabinet member for community safety at Ashfield District Council, said: “The council will not tolerate residents who think it is okay to commit anti-social behaviour.

“As this case demonstrates, we will prosecute those who fail to comply with community protection notices in the district.

“The council is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and this should act as a warning to those who think they can get away with it.”