A man who failed to clear up his garden of cans, litter, furniture and dog poo has been fined after the council took him to court. 

Joseph Ivey, from Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor, has been prosecuted by Durham County Council after letting rubbish accumulate in his front yard.

In 2022, Ivey was given a Community Protection Notice, which saw council wardens issue him with conditions to keep his property tidy after finding pizza boxes, cans, children's toys, and dog poo outside his house.

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After failing to clear the rubbish, the council took him to court for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice requiring him to clear his yard of waste and dog fouling.

Ivey did not attend court and has been fined a total £804.

Following the court case, Durham County Council's wardens have issued an image of the garden that led to Ivey getting a fine, which shows the build-up of waste, dog poo, and other litter. 

The council has also urged anyone to report untidy yards and gardens by calling 03000 260000.