South Woodford shop director stung with hefty court fine in grime crime crackdown

The Company Director of a Redbridge shop at the centre of a number of waste mismanagement issues has been stung with a hefty court fine for failing to store the shop’s commercial waste properly.

Redbridge Council led the court prosecution against Melinda Muica, age 40, – Company Director at Dada Coffee in High Road, South Woodford, in a crackdown on businesses who make a mess in the borough.

Redbridge Enforcement had already put Dada Coffee on their watchlist after serving the owners with a legal notice requiring them to ensure the correct storage and presentation of their commercial waste prior to collection.

During another visit to the shop a Council Enforcement Officer found, contrary to the requirements of the legal notice, Dada Coffee’s commercial waste bin overfilled with black rubbish bags, with the lid open, leaving the waste exposed to escape and potentially attracting vermin.

As result of the breach the officer issued a fixed penalty notice of £110 to Muica, who failed to pay and was subsequently summonsed to Barkingside Magistrates Court for failing to comply with the Environmental Protection Act Notice. Despite her court absence Muica was found guilty, landing her with a fine, court and the council’s costs, totalling £1,325.

Sarah Foster, Redbridge Council’s Operational Director for Civic Pride, said: “We all have a duty to keep our borough clean and tidy, and this includes businesses. While the majority of our local businesses act responsibly when it comes to ensuring their commercial waste is stored properly, this prosecution should send a message that Redbridge Council takes tough action against those businesses who refuse to act responsibly and legally when disposing of their waste.”

Find out more about waste disposal, waste reduction and recycling, as well as a commercial waste service offered by the council on: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/

(ENDS)