SEVEN fly-tippers have been taken to court as part of a council crackdown.

The offenders, who town hall chiefs say showed a "complete disregard for the local area", have been fined a combined total of more than £2,000.

Lee Sherman pleaded guilty to flytipping 25 bags of waste on Captain Street Car Park, in Horwich, and was fined £185, and ordered to pay costs of £120 and a £30 victim surcharge.

Kelly Chanetsa pleaded guilty to dumping back street waste and received a six month conditional discharge, £150 costs and £20 victim surcharge. Justina Horvatha pleaded guilty to dumping waste in the back streets and was fined £80, costs of £100 and victim surcharge of £30.

Eileen Devenport did not attend, but was found guilty of dumping back street waste and was fined £440, £197 costs plus £44 victim surcharge.

Kelly Marie Taylor was also found guilty in absence of dumping waste and was fined £440, ordered to pay £713 in costs plus £44 victim surcharge.

Heba Nafel was found guilty in her absence of fly-tipping a mattress and sofa on two separate occasions and fined £880 plus £689 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Nick Peel said: “Fly-tipping is anti-social behaviour, which shows a complete disregard for the local area and all sorts of problems for local people.

"The waste also costs local taxpayers for the council to remove it.

"We are pleased that these fines have been handed out and hope they will act as a deterrent to those thinking of leaving their waste in the back streets in future.

"If residents see anyone fly tipping or see any sites which has flytipped waste on it, please contact us. Fly-tipping can be reported on our website and more information is available at bolton.gov.uk/flytipping.”

Two residents who refused to clear up piles of rubbish in their own yards have also been handed hefty fines.

Ian Dickinson ignored requests to get rid of a pile of bin bags, furnishings and household waste in the back garden of his rented property in Moorfield Grove, Tonge.

The 49-year-old failed to attend court and the matter was proved in his absence. He was found guilty of failing to comply with an abatement notice and was fined £440. He must also pay court costs of £296 and a £44 surcharge.

Another resident who lives in Kilsby Close, Farnworth has also been fined. Keeley Fitzsimmons, aged 30, dumped a settee, household items and several bags in the rear yard of her rented house.

Fitzsimmons was fined £440, in her absence, and ordered to pay court costs of £273 and a victim surcharge of £44.

A council spokesman said: “There is simply no excuse for dumping rubbish in the way these residents chose to, and we will prosecute when requests and warnings are ignored.

"Leaving the environment in this state affects everyone and we are grateful to the public for being vigilant and reporting these cases to us.

"We know that some will be quick to blame the slim bins for these cases, however these both occurred before the roll-out. So this purely is a matter of residents who - for whatever reason - refused to dispose of their waste properly.

“We are pleased that since we took enforcement action, there have been no further complaints about these properties.”

Complaints about waste on private land, including properties, should be referred to the council’s housing standards team on 01204 336550.