Men from Wales and Stoke ordered to pay more than £2,100 for dumping cars in Stafford borough

A silver Vauxhall Insignia with a flat tyre was believed to have been left for around nine months on Virginia Avenue, on Meadowcroft Park in the town.

Meanwhile, an uninsured Fiat Bravo was left unlocked for a month on a road in the village of Barlaston, near Stone.

Cannock Magistrates Court heard that the registered owners of the vehicles did not live in the borough - with one from Wales and the other from Stoke-on-Trent.

The Insignia was registered to McGleave was reported as being abandoned in Virginia Avenue, Stafford in February - although the court was told it was believed the uninsured vehicle had not moved from that location since the previous summer.

The Insignia was registered to George McGleave, of Lon Maesycoed, Newtown, Powys, was reported as being abandoned in Virginia Avenue, Stafford in February - although the court was told it was believed the uninsured vehicle had not moved from that location since the previous summer.

Meanwhile the Fiat Bravo registered to Niko Lovatt of Mollison Road, Stoke-on-Trent, was dumped in Longton Road, Barlaston and was not insured. Magistrates heard it had been “SORNED” - which means it has been reported to the authorities as having been taken off the road.

Both were fined £660, ordered to pay £360 costs and slapped with a victim surcharge of £66 when they were found guilty of abandoning the vehicles. Neither of the men appeared at the hearing this week.

Stafford Borough Council wrote to both defendants to tell them the vehicles would be removed if they did not get in touch with the local authority - then issued them with a £200 fixed penalty notice. Neither paid the penalty nor contacted the council.

After the case, Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for environment at the borough council said: "I hope this sends a message to others that you must dispose of your unwanted vehicle properly or expect to face a fine or prosecution through the courts.

"This irresponsible behaviour not only causes a blight on the area but it can also quickly become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and is bad for the environment."