4 days ago
Melton Mowbray man prosecuted over 'nightmare' overgrown garden
A man has been prosecuted after repeatedly failing to clear his "nightmare" overgrown Borough Council said Richard Bates, of New Street in Melton Mowbray, was originally approached in September 2024 over the overgrown vegetation in his front garden, which was followed by formal warnings and a fixed penalty workers eventually ended up clearing the site, which the authority dubbed a "nightmare", and uncovered a rat's nest as part of the Leicester Magistrates' Court on 9 July, the matter was found proved in Bates's absence, and he was fined £500, ordered to pay a contribution of £500 towards the council's costs of £1,157.10 - and a victim surcharge of £200.
The council added Bates - who was found proved of failing to comply with a community protection notice - would be recharged for the cost of the Sarah Cox, portfolio holder for corporate finance, property and resources at the council, said: "Even with support from our teams, the resident failed to adhere to the conditions set out to him, forcing us to take necessary action to keep the area clean and free of pests."We take issues such as anti-social behaviour very seriously. "If a supportive approach fails, we will not hesitate to enforce and act to keep our communities a safe and thriving place to live."
