A man who ignored calls to remove car-trailers that were cluttering up a residential street in Brent for a decade has been ordered to pay nearly £6,000 following a landmark court case for the UK.
Saiyed Hanif was ordered to pay the sum by Harrow Crown Court after the judge upheld a Community Protection Notice (CPN) from a case brought to magistrates by Brent Council earlier this year.
It is the first time in the UK that a CPN - a power that councils have under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 - has been upheld at crown court level, marking an important step in the crackdown on antisocial behaviour, the local authority said.
Hanif caused an eyesore on the road he lived in Orchard Close, Alperton , by illegally storing cars and trailers without number plates or any form of permit on public highway land.
Brent Council made repeated appeals to Hanif to remove the vehicles following complaints made by his neighbours.
It then used its power to issue the CPN, which can be done so when a resident’s behaviour is unreasonable and having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living in the local area.
Hanif was ordered by the judge to remove his trailers and vehicles from the street within 28 days, after which Brent Council would remove and destroy the vehicles in order to uphold the court’s orders.
The case was heard at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in May this year, but following an appeal by Hanif, was sent to the crown court, where he was fined on December 8.
The judge warned that failing to pay the fine within six months would result in 28 days imprisonment.
The ruling was welcomed by the council’s member for environment, Cllr Eleanor Southwood.
She said: “This prosecution sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate people abandoning their vehicles in our area and causing upset to residents close by.
“We are determined to make Brent a clean, green and safe place to live, and this includes making sure the selfish actions of a few do not impact on the majority.
"If you are responsible for an eyesore and don’t clear it up, then you should be prepared to face the financial consequences as well as ending up with a criminal record.”
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