Preston garage owner fined over abandoning cars on open land

Preston City Council prosecuted Winston Barrett, of Avenham Park Garage on Great Avenham Street, at Preston Magistrates’ Court.

The 57-year-old businessman was not present for the proceedings.

He was found guilty of seven counts of abandoning vehicles on land in the open air - an offence under the Refuse Act - in August 2019, and providing false or inaccurate details to a council officer who attempted to serve him with a notice.

He was ordered to pay costs of £1,550 , a £235 victim surcharge and fines totalling £2,100.

Three charges relate to a blue Vauxhall Corsa and the others relate to a grey Saab estate car, a red Peugeot 407, a blue Mazda 3 and a black Vauxhall car.

The bench was told all the cars were left on land on Frenchwood Street in Avenham.

Abandoned vehicles can cause a nuisance by obstructing roads, traffic and pedestrians.

The Government says councils and national park authorities must remove abandoned vehicles from land in the open air, and give the landowner or occupier 15 days’ notice that they propose to remove the vehicle.

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