A COUPLE who failed to tidy their front garden and drive in Hereford were taken to court by the council.

Chintana Kirk, 60, and Richard Chomin-Czogolla, 67, pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court for failing to comply with an anti-social behaviour notice.

Residents began to make complaints about anti-social behaviour in 2005/6, when cars, a boat and other items were dumped in the garden of Kirk's house in Hillary Drive in Kings Acre.

Chomin-Czogolla, who also lived at the property, would use flood lights to repair cars in the street until late at night, causing noise and nuisance. A large trailer was also parked outside the property and, due to the amount of items discarded on the driveway, access to Kirk’s front door was across a neighbour’s driveway.

Herefordshire Council enforcement officers initially issued the couple with a Community Protection Notice warning, advising the pair to tidy the front garden and drive, to stop repairing cars in the road after 6.30pm and to park their other vehicles considerately.

The boat trailer was moved but the remaining anti-social behaviour continued. Following this, formal Community Protection Notices were issued to Kirk and Chomin-Czogalla which were ignored.

Herefordshire Council then proceeded with court action due to non-compliance with the Community Protection Notice.

Both Kirk and Chomin-Czogalla, whose address is listed with the court as Eign Road, Hereford, received a 12 month conditional discharge and costs of £150 each and a £20 victim surcharge each.

A Community Protection Notice is issued when a business, organisation or person over the age of 16 commits anti-social behaviour which spoils the community's quality of life.

Herefordshire Council said officers will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour where it has a negative impact on or affects the community. Visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/communitysafety for more information about safer communities.