Sofina Begum and Nicole Howarth fined

Sofina Begum, whose old sofa and other household rubbish was found dumped on a street in Rochdale, has been fined.

Begum, 23, of Main Road, Oldham pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable steps on the transfer of her household waste. Environmental Health Officers from Rochdale Borough Council tracked her down after finding identifying documents amongst the waste left on Jones Street, Rochdale.

Begum was fined £170 and also ordered to pay £500 by way of costs contribution and a £20 victim surcharge by Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court.

Nicole Howarth, 24, who was seen dropping litter on the street near to her home on Fern Close, Middleton, was also prosecuted. She was given a Fixed Penalty Notice which she did not pay and was found guilty in her absence by Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court. She was fined £200 and ordered to pay £490 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment said: “These two cases demonstrate clearly that we will not tolerate people littering and failing to ensure rubbish is disposed of properly. It shows the financial consequences if you then choose to ignore or refuse to pay a fixed penalty notice.

“We are committed to keeping our streets clean and rubbish free. Our 100% conviction rate demonstrates that if people do not respect their neighbourhoods and help us in this task, they will be brought to account.”