A heating and plumbing company has been found guilty in court after Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers discovered that its land was completely overgrown and filled with pests and vermin.

Following a complaint, the council’s enforcement officers inspected the land on Friday 8 April, and it was evident that it was overgrown with grass, brambles and shrubbery. Officers served the landowner Uptown Solutions Limited with a warning letter to maintain the land at 8a Brook Avenue, Dagenham within 14 days.

Officers revisited the property on the 23 and 27 April and as no works had taken place to tidy up the land, the owner was served with a Legal Notice. On 7 May, a further inspection took place and as the owner had ignored the warning letter and notice from the council, the case was taken to court.

The case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 15 November and as no plea was made, the defendant was found guilty.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “This company may own the land, but we expect them to look after and maintain it. They have not only refused to do this, but completely ignored our enforcement officers.

“The land is a complete eyesore and doesn’t represent our borough well. What could have been a couple of days tidying has resulted in them having to pay a huge fine.”

Uptown Solutions Limited was ordered to pay £1,000 fine, £737 in costs to Barking and Dagenham Council and a Victim Surcharge of £100, totalling £1,837. This must be paid within 28 days.