Hull City Council is continuing to warn residents not to abandon vehicles, to avoid a substantial fine or prosecution.
The warning comes after Mr Mark Adams, who abandoned a vehicle in Netherton Road in July last year, was prosecuted by the Council at Hull Magistrates Court earlier this month (February).
After receiving reports that the vehicle had been abandoned, Hull City Council carried out investigations and discovered the vehicle did not have a current MOT certificate or vehicle excise license (VEL).
Further inquiries identified Mr Adams, of Fernhill Road, Hull, as the registered keeper of the vehicle.
After failing to respond to correspondence from Hull City Council or take steps to move the vehicle, the council stepped in to remove it.
Further correspondence was then sent to Mr Adams, including:
- instructions on how to recover the vehicle
- charges to be paid for the recovery of the vehicle
- a £200 fine.
The council received no response, so the matter was referred for prosecution.
Mr Adams failed to appear at Hull Magistrates Court on 16 February 2024 and was prosecuted in his absence for unlawful abandonment of a vehicle.
He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,184.
Under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, it is an offence to unlawfully abandon a motor vehicle or any part of a motor vehicle.
Anyone who has a vehicle they no longer require can have it collected and disposed of free of charge through the council’s vehicle take-back scheme (Abandoned and untaxed vehicles | Hull).
Councillor Julia Conner, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “Abandoning a vehicle is a crime that we do not tolerate in Hull. This reckless behaviour not only harms the environment but also poses health and safety risks to our residents.
“The Council urges everyone to follow lawful procedures for vehicle disposal to avoid being fined or prosecuted. We also urge residents to report any suspicious activity promptly.”
For more information on abandoned vehicles, visit Abandoned and untaxed vehicles | Hull, or call 01482 300300.
