Darwen landlord fined more than £4,500 after ignoring waste warnings

A Darwen landlord has been ordered to pay more than £4,500 after failing to clear waste from three properties, despite repeated warnings from Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Environmental Crime Team.

Neighbour complaints led officers to the sites, where the rubbish was said to have attracted vermin and caused a nuisance for local residents.

The landlord, Mr Joseph Giovanni, was first given advice and guidance by council officers in an effort to resolve the problem without court action. But after contact and a number of letters, no action was taken to remove the waste.

Formal warning notices were then served under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949. When those were also ignored, the cases went to court.

The offences related to three Darwen properties on Sudellside Street, Olive Lane and Higher Church Street.

The court ordered Mr Giovanni to pay a total of more than £4,500 in fines, costs and victim surcharge.

Councillor Jim Casey, Executive Member for Environment and Communities Services, said: “Everyone deserves to live in a clean and safe neighbourhood.

“Our officers made every effort to work with the landlord and resolve these issues without the need for court action. Unfortunately, repeated advice, warnings and legal notices were ignored, leaving us with no option but to prosecute.

“This case demonstrates that we will take firm action where individuals fail to meet their responsibilities and allow environmental problems to negatively affect local communities.

“We encourage landlords and tenants alike to make use of the support and services available to help manage waste responsibly.”

The council says residents can take household waste and recycling to local Household Waste Recycling Centres, and it also offers a bookable bulky waste collection service for larger items and excess waste. More information is available at blackburn.gov.uk/bins-and-waste/bulky-waste/request-and-pay-bulky-waste-collection.

Anyone wishing to report waste-related issues in the borough can email the Environmental Crime Team at envirocrime@blackburn.gov.uk.