Owner of an abandoned van, spray-painted with offensive wording, is fined £1,884

A man has been fined £1,884 by magistrates and has a criminal record for abandoning a spray-painted white van in Cambourne.

The local resident was found guilty in a hearing at Cambridge Magistrates Court where he denied a charge of vehicle abandonment.

He claimed his graffiti van was a legitimate protest against South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The defendant was taken to court following an investigation into a series of complaints, including causing a hazard, due to where the van was parked on a busy roundabout in Cambourne.

Environmental Crime Officers from the District Council attended the location on several occasions, photographing and documenting the vehicle over a period of time, and noting the deteriorating condition. The Council also received comments from Cambourne residents who felt it was unsightly and detrimental to the community.

The van quickly became a hazard to pedestrians and other road users, so it was removed and placed into secure storage while attempts were made to get the owner to claim the vehicle.

The resident either failed or refused to reclaim the van and failed to co-operate with the local authority, so was subsequently issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) which he failed or refused to pay. 

Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Licensing at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Councils can issue Fixed Penalty Notices where the evidence is sufficient to take a case to court. The option of a Fixed Penalty Notice fine enables people to avoid receiving a larger fine and going to court. In this case, however, the man refused to pay so has ended up much worse off. He has lost his van, must pay a hefty fine and has a criminal record.”

Cllr Shrobona Bhattacharya, local member for Cambourne, said: “It’s understandable that residents of Cambourne found it unsettling to see a vehicle abandoned at the entrance to our town. This disrupts the appearance of our community but also creates an unwelcoming first impression for everyone entering Cambourne. We must ensure that our shared spaces reflect the pride we have in our town. As a local councillor, I am concerned about the environmental impact of abandoned vehicles. We all take responsibility for keeping our community clean and safe. Let’s work together to protect our environment and uphold the standards that make Cambourne a great place to live.”

Abandoning a vehicle on any land in the open air, or land forming part of a highway, is a criminal offence. It is punishable by a fine of up to £2,500 and can carry up to three months in prison. An abandoned vehicle, once it has reached the end of its useful life, can also be classified as 'hazardous waste', which carries up to five years in prison with an unlimited fine.

To find out more and how to report an abandoned vehicle visit our Abandoned Vehicle webpage.