County Durham family left Amazon boxes in Consett garden

Edrit Xhikneli, Justin Xhikneli, and Merita Xhikneli of Niallesway, Palmerston Street, Consett, were issued with a letter from the neighbourhood warden in April this year warning them to clear rubbish in their garden.

The garden of the property in Consett (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL) A further visit was carried out in May, as a follow-up to the Community Protection Warning; however, the rubbish was still left next to the property, so a Community Protection Notice was served on the residents.

On May 22, 2024, a further visit was carried out, and the accumulation was still present.

At this time, Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to all of the residents.

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The residents of the property failed to heed the notices that the warden issued and failed to pay the Fixed Penalty Notices.

A case file was then prepared for the courts, where all three residents have a total of £442 in fines and costs to pay each, totalling £1,326.

Following the prosecution, a spokesperson for Durham County Council's wardens said: "We encourage people to work with us to avoid fines and costs. However, when we give people the opportunity and they fail to comply and simply ignore us, we will prosecute."