Man fined more than £1,500 for not moving car

It's following several warnings from Charnwood Borough Council.

A man's been ordered to pay more than £1,500 in fines and court costs after failing to move his abandoned car despite several warnings from Charnwood Borough Council.

Dale Haggett of Chapman Place, Colchester was the registered keeper of the car that had been left in Woodlands Close in Wymeswold.

Council officers received reports of the car in July last year.

Two warning letters were issued to Mr Haggett on two separate occasions stating the Council would be removing the vehicle. 

Mr Haggett did not respond to the letters on either occasion. The Council issued a fixed penalty notice for £200. 

After no payments were received for the fixed penalty notice, a reminder letter was sent in August.

The Council sent another letter in September allowing Mr Haggett an additional 14 days to pay so the case could be closed.

Despite several opportunities to contact the Council and make payment, Mr Haggett failed to pay the notice and was bought before the Leicester Magistrates’ Court on March 4, 2020.

Mr Haggett did not attend court and magistrates fined him £440, ordered him to pay £1,100 costs to the Council and a £44 victim surcharge.

The costs the Council included the charge for the removal, storage and disposal of the vehicle.

After the hearing, Cllr Margaret Smidowicz, lead member for regulatory services at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “I hope this demonstrates to people that it is not acceptable to simply abandon your vehicle. Not only can they become a nuisance for residents, but they may be dangerous depending on where they are left. 
“It’s important for people to know that we will prosecute those who abandon their vehicles and fail to pay fines.”