Abandoned cars cost owners £1,000 in fines

Two men have been fined £1,030 each after being found guilty of dumping vehicles on land in Rossendale.

James Carruthers (35), of Moor Park Avenue, Rochdale, was charged with abandoning a Fiat Scudo van on Cherry Crescent, Rawtenstall, and was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £150 legal costs, £435 investigation costs and £225 compensation – a total of £1,030.

He was charged with abandoning the van on or around February 18^th 2019 under section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and was given 28 days to pay the fine. Carruthers did not attend court and was sentenced at Burnley Magistrates’ Court in his absence.

Daniel Barry (52), of Ullswater Way, Crawshawbooth, was charged with leaving a vehicle on or around February 12^th 2019 after a Volvo Estate was found on a car park adjacent to St Paul’s Church, Back Constable Lee, Rossendale.

He was also charged under section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, and was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £150 legal costs, £435 investigation costs and £225 compensation, totalling £1,030. He did not attend Burnley Magistrates’ Court and was also ordered to pay within 28 days.

Councillor Jackie Oakes, Deputy Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said:

Leaving cars on land and roads like this may seem harmless but it is against the law and it does affect other people, and creates a drain on our resources as they have to be investigated and moved. This is money that we would much rather be spent in vital areas to help people.

I hope these fines serve as a deterrent to these people not to do this again, and show to our residents that we will not tolerate this and you could end up in court if you do this.”