West Lindsey: A motorist has been fined more than £1,000 for abandoning his car after he crashed

Daniel Fox, 25, of Westminster Road, Doncaster, abandoned his vehicle after it crashed just off the A57 near Drinsey Nook on 24th February.

Lincoln Magistrates Court heard how Fox promised to return at a later date to remove the vehicle.

When he returned to the scene some days later, he only retrieved the tax disc from the car and his belongings from the boot.

The hearing took place in Fox’s absence on Monday 24th November.

Magistrates saw photographs and heard how the council made multiple attempts to contact Fox to remove the vehicle.

As a result, the council made arrangements to recover and store the car before it was destroyed in May.

Fox was fined £600 and ordered to pay costs of £795.50 and also a victim surcharge of £60.

In total the payment stood at £1,455.50.

West Lindsey District Council leader, Jeff Summers, welcomed the conviction, and he hopes it will serve as a warning to people to dispose of cars appropriately.

He said: “This example shows that we will take robust enforcement action against anyone who acts in such an irresponsible manner.”

Gaynor Allen, community officer at the council, explained it is the first successful prosecution of its kind in West Lindsey.

She said: “I would encourage members of the public to come forward and report any abandoned vehicles to us.”

“Abandoned vehicles have a negative effect on the quality of the local environment.”

“They attract unwelcome attention, vandalism and pose a risk of explosion and in some cases may have been used for crime.”

Things to consider if you think a vehicle has been abandoned include whether the car is untaxed and whether there is a current keeper on DVLA records.

It is not an exhaustive list and if you suspect a vehicle is abandoned, call customer services on 01427 676676.