Grandmother’s £240 fine for leaving box near a bin
A DISABLED grandmother has been given a £240 fine for fly-tipping a cardboard box – despite insisting it had been placed next to overflowing recycling bins.
Janet Bocci, 60, said she left the collapsed box between two recycling bins when she discovered that there was no room left inside them. Days later she was visited at home by a council officer who had seen her name and address on the packaging.
The grandmother said the council worker cautioned her ‘ like a policeman would,’ prompting her to ask if she was going to be arrested.
Miss Bocci, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and relies on disability benefits, said she was then asked to explain what had happened before he issued the fine.
‘This man turned up at my door, told me he was from the council and said he wanted to talk to me about fly-tipping,’ she said.
‘I wasn’t aware I had anything to do with fly- tipping so I invited him in. He then told me about this box I had left by the bin which he said was being classed as fly-tipping.
‘He read me my rights like a policeman would do. I was completely shocked. I felt like a criminal.’
Miss Bocci, who lives in Cambridge, said the council worker, did not give her the opportunity to appeal.
‘ Even when I told him I couldn’t afford the fine he didn’t listen ... I feel like they have taken advantage of me to make a quick buck,’ she said.
Cambridge City Council said tackling fly-tipping was a priority and defended cautioning the woman.
A council spokesman said: ‘Enforcement officers… may undertake cautioning of suspects as part of an investigation.
‘A caution will be used if an officer needs to obtain information from an offender.’