Mother faces court for refusing to pay bin bags fine

♦ A mother has been threatened with court and a fine of up to £1,000 after putting two extra bin bags next to her wheelie bin for collection.

Joanna Beck 38, from Accrington, Lancs, received a fixed penalty notice on Feb 5 ordering her to pay £75 within 14 days or face prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act. The mother-of-three has lived at the house for 18 months and says she was not aware of her new council’s strict rules on recycling.

She is willing to pay up and has asked to be allowed to settle the amount in instalments but has been told to pay in full or face court.

She said: “It’s frustrating. I simply can’t pay it.” Council bosses say the penalties were made clear in a leaflet called Be a Binner Not a Sinner issued to all residents.