Complaints from residents in Rainham have led to a pair being fined £2,500 after they dumped a pile of junk in a parking bay.

Maria Hooker and Dean West left the rubbish in the parking bay on Mierscourt Road, Rainham in September last year. Despite being served an enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by Medway Council, they failed to clear the junk.

Council enforcement officers visited the property following complaints from neighbours and made several attempts to contact the owners following the inspection. Twelve months and several letters and visits later, West and Hooker had not contacted the council or cleared the rubbish.

The junk is still in the parking space and a council spokesman said: "We will re-inspect after 30 days. However, magistrates can fine the landowners up to £40 for every day that the notice is not complied with. We will go back to court should it be necessary."

The case was heard at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday September 16, where the pair were dealt with separately, as only West entered a plea.

West pleaded guilty via post for failing to comply with a section 215 enforcement notice under section 216 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. He was fined £850 and order to pay costs of £314.35.

Hooker failed to attend court or enter a plea so the case was heard in her absence. She was fined £1,000 for the same offence and must pay costs of £314.35.

Cllr Peter Hicks, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Customer Contact, said: “This pair had a number of opportunities to rectify the problem but they made no effort to do so.

“Untidy land has a detrimental effect on the quality of life for residents of Medway. It directly effects visual amenity of an area, can attract further fly-tipping, encourages vermin and other health issues and can lead to feelings of insecurity for residents and visitors alike. It is not acceptable.”