A motorist has been landed with a court bill of almost £1,200 after abandoning a car in the Freeman Street area of Grimsby.
North East Lincolnshire Council investigated after reports that an abandoned grey Skoda estate in Duncombe Street was attracting anti-social behaviour.
Officers traced the vehicle to Robert Jacklin, 38, of Oderin Drive, New Waltham. He was served a formal notice on 29 October 2022 to confirm his ownership and given a seven-day order to remove the vehicle.
Even though the car was taxed and tested, enforcement officers heard nothing back from the registered keeper.
North East Lincolnshire Council removed the abandoned vehicle and disposed of it.
Jacklin was sent a fixed penalty notice on 3 March 2023 but failed to pay within the timeframe allowed.
As a result, his case was heard at Grimsby Magistrate’s Court on 8 August and was proved in absence against him.
Jacklin was fined £660 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £264 and costs of £272, making a total of £1,196.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said:
“It’s a criminal offence to abandon a vehicle and carries a maximum sentence of up to three months in prison.
“Abandoned vehicles are a nuisance, they can attract anti-social behaviour and the council ends up footing the bill to remove and dispose of them.
“This is a great result for our environmental enforcement team and serves as a reminder that we will enforce against those who choose to mess up our streets.”
Remember to inform the DVLA when you no longer own a vehicle, or you buy a vehicle as either a registered keeper or motor trader. Until the DVLA receive new keeper details, you remain liable for the car tax and any fines or costs run up by that vehicle.
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