Fly-tippers land £1,000-plus court bills after ignoring council’s fines for dumping rubbish in Northampton

Two men from Northampton have paid a hefty price for dumping rubbish in their local community.

Jeffrey Gent and Sandors Kozlovskis were each ordered to pay more than £1,000 in fines and court costs after admitting to separate charges of fly-tipping in Thorplands.

Council neighbourhood wardens initially issued £400 penalties. But the cases ended up in front of local magistrates after they failed to pay.

Gent, aged 56, admitted fly-tipping after household waste including a mattress and old carpet belonging to him were found dumped near his home in Sidebrook Court last March.

Magistrates ordered him to pay a £400 fine, costs of £620, plus a £40 victim surcharge.

Kozlovskis, aged 20, of Nicholls Court was originally issued with his fixed penalty notice after a shopping trolley full of waste was found abandoned in Far Meadow Court in October 2021.

He was fined £400 with an order to pay costs of £600 plus a £40 victim surcharge.

Councillor David Smith, West Northamptonshire cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: “People should not have to put up with these anti-social offences taking place in their communities.

"I would like to thank the Neighbourhood Wardens whose diligence led to the offenders paying the price for their actions.

“Our council does not tolerate fly-tipping, and successful prosecutions such as these should send out a clear message that we will take strong action against offenders, including through the courts if necessary.”