RESIDENTS have been fined after ignoring warnings to remove ‘stinking’ rubbish.

Jozef Bihari was prosecuted by Bolton Council for repeatedly leaving vermin-attracting waste behind his home in Brandwood Street, Breightmet.

Officers investigating a complaint found two mattresses, numerous foul-smelling black bags and other rubbish.

Despite Bihari clearing the mess more later appeared and after further complaints the council was forced to clear his back yard. The 51-year-old was found guilty of failing to comply with an abatement notice, fined £440 and ordered to pay £406 costs.

Also prosecuted was Lisa Marie Sutton, of Elgin Street, Halliwell.

The 37-year-old failed to remove rubbish including a double mattress and stinking black bags from her back yard last July. The council was again forced to clean up.

She was found guilty of failing to comply with an abatement notice and fined £440 with £228 costs.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “These fines send a strong message that there is simply no excuse for dumping rubbish in this way. The actions of one or two people can affect the entire community and both these residents were given the opportunity to clean up their act but failed to do so.

“We are grateful to the public for reporting these cases and we will always consider prosecutions when warnings and legal notices are ignored.”

Complaints about waste on private land can be made on 01204 336500 or housingstandards@bolton.gov.uk