A man living in Ipswich has slammed the council’s “extreme” decision to fine him £500 for putting rubbish bags next to his wheelie bin.

Orford Street resident Ben Riley received a fixed penalty notice (FPN) on February 13 for placing four black bags next to the bin as it was too full.

He appealed it but received notification that the appeal had been rejected on Thursday, February 22.

Mr Riley said: “It is ridiculous how extreme it is. I have been threatened with five years in prison or an unlimited fine if this goes to court.

Ipswich Star: He was fined for placing bin bags next to his wheelie bin.He was fined for placing bin bags next to his wheelie bin. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“Another man dumped a chest of drawers and got fined £200. I just put a few plastic bags next to my wheelie bin outside my garden gate and I am fined £500.

“My wheelie bin was full. I’ve only recently moved to Ipswich from Essex. I lived there 28 years of my life and the council never moaned about a bag next to the wheelie bin before, but here it’s a big deal.

“Back home, you could happily put rubbish bags next to your bin and they would be taken by the binmen. I have never been issued a fine or anything in the 28 years I lived there.

“I also got mixed up with which bin was being collected that week, so it was six days before bin collections.

“It’s not like I’ve dumped a mattress or a television set in the middle of a road, it’s next to my back gate.

Ipswich Star: Mr Riley said he placed the bags next to his full black rubbish bin outside his property.Mr Riley said he placed the bags next to his full black rubbish bin outside his property. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

“£500 for a first offence is a bit extreme. I have just put general waste next to my wheelie bin because it was too full.”

Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and sport, said: “Waste left on the street can cause public health issues and encourage anti-social behaviour.

“In this case, bags of waste were put out on the street on January 3 and the next black bin collection day was January 9, so the waste would have remained on the road for at least six days.

“Under formal interview the resident admitted to the offence and a fixed penalty notice was issued at an amount of £500.

“Due to the appeal, we have extended the early payment period within which the amount is reduced to £250.

“The other case referred to [where a man was recently fined £200] was a fine given by the courts not a fixed penalty notice. This case was for an offence in May of last year.

“The courts determined a fine of £200, plus £200 costs were awarded and an £80 victim surcharge, resulting in a total charge of £480.”