Harehills shopkeeper fined £3,000 for leaving rubbish strewn across streets

Leeds City Council officers found cardboard, plastic packaging, spoiled groceries and other non-recyclable waste overflowing from bins outside the Al-Madina Superstore, on the corner of Dorset Road and Sandhurst Place.

Officers said this encouraged vermin in the area and risked public health.

The owner, Amrullah Shaida, was given a verbal warning, a legal notice and a fine (fixed penalty notice).

However, officers continued to record ongoing breaches,

Amrullah Shaida appeared before Leeds Magistrates Court in December 2020.

The court heard how he ignored four letters about the fixed penalty and magistrates told him that he demonstrated "a blatant disregard for legal and environmental considerations".

He pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Mr Shaida was ordered to pay a total of £2,832 – a £1,000 fine, £1,732 costs and £100 victim surcharge.

The court ordered him to secure his bins and get them emptied regularly.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and active lifestyles, said: “I hope this gives a clear message that as a council we simply will not tolerate this behaviour.

“Residents have the right to live in clean, healthy environments and not be put at risk by the irresponsible and unacceptable actions of others. Our officers will continue the extremely valuable work they do every day in our communities and take action against any offenders.”