St Annes woman collared by the ‘bin police’

Lynette Buckland was caught using black refuse sacks instead of the green ones issued by her local council.

Her identity was confirmed after investigators rummaged through the black sacks and found letters addressed to her.

Buckland, 34, of Carlton Road, St Annes, was found guilty of contravening Environmental Protection Act waste management regulations after a trial in her absence.

She was fined £200 and ordered to pay £120 costs with £20 victims’ at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court.

Clare Lord, prosecuting for Fylde Council, said a council official saw eight black plastic bags on the highway at the rear of St Albans Road, St Annes on November 18 last year. The bags were inspected and three envelopes addressed to the defendant were found.

Buckland was then sent a notice from the council warning her she must put her rubbish in the green sacks provided by the local authority.

On March 15 this year the officer saw three black bags on St Albans Road. They were inspected and a letter addressed to Buckland was found inside. Buckland was then sent a fixed penalty notice which said she was required to pay a £60 fine for the offence.

The fine was not paid.