Leeds store owner fined over ‘blatant disregard’ for rubbish laws

Officers from Leeds City Council’s Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team found cardboard, plastic packaging, spoiled groceries and other non-recyclable waste overflowing from bins outside Al-Madina Superstore in a densely-populated area of Harehills – encouraging vermin and risking public health.

Despite receiving a verbal warning, a legal notice and a fixed penalty notice, the owner of the shop – on the corner of Dorset Road and Sandhurst Place and surrounded by back-to-back terraced housing – ignored all these and officers continued to record ongoing breaches.

Amrullah Shaida appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and was ordered to pay a total of £2,832 – a £1,000 fine, £1,732 costs and £100 victim surcharge.

The court heard how he ignored four letters about the fixed penalty and magistrates told him that he demonstrated ‘a blatant disregard for legal and environmental considerations,’ and ordered him to secure his bins and get them emptied regularly.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and active lifestyles, said: “I hope this gives a clear message that as a council we simply will not tolerate this behaviour.

“Residents have the right to live in clean, healthy environments and not be put at risk by the irresponsible and unacceptable actions of others. Our officers will continue the extremely valuable work they do every day in our communities and take action against any offenders.”