Stoke-on-Trent couple fined £1,200 for rubbish collection

A couple were fined £1,200 for collecting rubbish on the street and leaving it in the waste collection bin.

Veronica Michael and Zoltan Pinte, from Stoke-on-Trent, said the road to their home had been contaminated by “disgusting” rubbish for years.

But the pair were fined £600 each after Mr Pint cleared some of the rubbish and put it in cartons.

The council said all illegal dumping would be subject to a fixed penalty and considered the matter resolved.

Ms Mike, 41, said people often dump rubbish around bins on the street, which she claimed goes uncollected and attracts animals.

“I’m actually scared to walk past it on the street because I see a lot of rats and what look like stray cats,” she said.

Mr Pinte, 46, collected the rubbish into the bin with his name on it on April 29 after seeing it blown everywhere.

He said the street bins were full so he had to leave his bins nearby in the hope someone would come collect them.

In penalty notice letters sent to the pair on May 8, the council said they had failed to “transfer household waste to an authorised body”.

“We just want to clean up our streets and this is what the council wants to thank us for,” Ms Mike said.

“At first I was very angry and cried.”

Mr Pinter paid the fine immediately and Ms Mack repaid it in monthly instalments of £100.

The couple sought to appeal the council’s decision and said they contacted the charity Citizens Advice Bureau but were told the law was “black and white”.

They have launched an online fundraising campaign to help them with the costs, while neighbours have also signed a letter to the council.

After what they’ve been through, the couple said they will never sweep their streets again.

“We don’t dare do anything now, even if the rats come,” Ms. Mike said.

Municipal councillor Amjid Wazir said authorities considered the matter resolved.

“We remind residents and businesses that illegal dumping is an offence and all offenders will be subject to a fixed penalty fee,” he said.