The council’s efforts to track down the person responsible for the littering led to Speriusi, the vehicle’s registered owner…reports Asian Lite News
Barking and Dagenham have recently seen a significant uptick in environmental enforcement, with two residents facing hefty fines for separate offences that have drawn the attention of local authorities.
These littering and noise pollution cases are stark reminders of the council’s commitment to improving the area’s living conditions and holding individuals accountable for actions that negatively affect the community.
In one case, a Barking resident, Ionut Roberto Fabina Speriusi, was hit with a substantial fine exceeding £1,700 after failing to cooperate with authorities investigating a littering incident. On 1 October 2023, two Environmental Enforcement Officers from the Barking and Dagenham Council observed a white transit van in Dagenham’s Rainham Road South, where the driver tossed a cigarette end out the window. Such littering is unsightly and detrimental to the environment and local cleanliness.
The council’s efforts to track down the person responsible for the littering led to Speriusi, the vehicle’s registered owner.
A DVLA check identified him as the vehicle’s owner, prompting the issuance of a Driver Identification Notice on 19 January 2024. This notice required Speriusi to provide the details of the person driving the van at the time of the offence within 21 days. However, Speriusi failed to comply with the request and did not identify the driver, prompting the council to issue a second notice of intended prosecution.
The case was escalated to Barkingside Magistrates Court when this notice was also ignored. On 28 January 2024, Speriusi was found guilty of failing to cooperate with the investigation and was ordered to pay a fine of £660, council costs of £860.78, and a victim surcharge of £264, bringing the total to £1,784.78.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We don’t stand for littering in Barking and Dagenham, and I am glad to see the courts agree with us and have imposed such a big fine. It is a fantastic result. I hope this sends a stern warning to anyone who wants to litter that if they’re caught, action will be taken.”
Barking woes
Meanwhile, another Barking resident, Syed Uzeir Iqbal, found himself in trouble with the council after complaints of excessive noise emanating from his property on Corwallis Road, Dagenham. On 9 February 2024, Environmental Enforcement Officers visited Iqbal’s home in response to several complaints about constant barking from dogs. Upon inspection, the officers found the noise a statutory nuisance and issued an Abatement Notice. This notice, which requires individuals to abate the nuisance by a specific date, also warns that failure to comply can result in further legal action.
It was later revealed that the property was being used for kennel security K9 units, a practice that appeared to contribute to the noise disturbances. Despite receiving the notice and being asked to reduce the noise, Iqbal continued to operate the property in a manner that violated the terms of the Abatement Notice. The council received further complaints from residents regarding the noise, prompting another visit in June 2024. This time, the officers observed a clear breach of the notice, issuing a Fixed Penalty Notice for £150 on 13 June 2024.
Iqbal was given 14 days to pay the penalty, but he failed to do so. A reminder letter was sent on 2 July 2024, urging him to settle the fine. Despite this, no payment was received, and the penalty remained unpaid. As a result, on 25 September 2024, a final notice of intended prosecution was sent, and the fixed penalty was withdrawn. The case was referred to the court, and a summons for prosecution was issued for Iqbal’s failure to abate the statutory nuisance.
The case was heard in Barkingside Magistrates Court on 28 January 2025, where Iqbal was found guilty in his absence. He was ordered to pay a fine of £660, council costs of £1,001.74, and a victim surcharge of £262, bringing the total to £1,923.74. Councillor Ghani again weighed in on the matter, underscoring the importance of addressing noise complaints in the community.
“Excessive noise nuisance affects the quality of life for our residents, and we take these complaints very seriously,” he remarked. “We will continue to take firm action to ensure our neighbourhoods remain peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.”
These cases demonstrate the Barking and Dagenham Council’s commitment to maintaining a clean and peaceful environment for residents. Both littering and noise pollution are significant issues that can affect the quality of life in any community.
The council conveys that such behaviour will not be tolerated by holding individuals accountable through fines and legal action. Local authorities hope these cases deter others who might consider engaging in similar offences, reminding them that the community’s well-being will always be a top priority.
