A man who abandoned a car on a road then refused to pay a fine ended up in court.

Dorset Council' Enforcement Team received around 450 reports of abandoned vehicles on the county's roads in the last 12 months. Each of these are investigated by the team who can issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to those owners who fail to comply with the law. Failure to pay an FPN will result in further action being taken.

This was the case for Gary Castle, aged 21, of Wyke, Gillingham, who was prosecuted at Weymouth Magistrates Court under the Refuse Disposal Amenity Act following an investigation.

The council said on May 15 last year, an enforcement officer visited Fairey Crescent in Gillingham, having received a complaint regarding an abandoned vehicle.

A seven-day notice was placed on the windscreen. Following a DVLA check, the officer discovered that the last registered keeper of the vehicle was Castle. He was sent a letter asking him to move it within a week

No response was received and on May 30 it was noted the vehicle was still parked on the road. Arrangements were then made for it to be taken away.

Castle was spoken to in person on the same day. The Enforcement Officer issued a FPN and Castle said: “I will not be paying the fine.”

On June 20, a reminder letter was sent to Castle. To date, no payment has been received

The car was subsequently destroyed.

Castle was taken to court by Dorset Council’s Legal Team. He was found guilty and ordered to pay £650 costs.

After the case, Cllr Tony Alford, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Community and Regulatory Services at Dorset Council, said:

“This is a great result for Gillingham residents, and I’d like to thank all the officers involved for their hard work in bringing this case to court."

Cllr Alford added: "Abandoned vehicles are unsightly and annoying for nearby residents, creating further congestion on our roads and other public places. If you suspect a vehicle has been abandoned, please make a note of the registration number and any other descriptive details, and let us know at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/abandoned-vehicles. Thank you.”