A Dagenham resident has been ordered to pay £967 after illegally dumping waste in communal bins intended for residents living above shops in Gale Street.

Tyna Mungulu Khida, of Rugby Road, Dagenham, was prosecuted by Barking and Dagenham Council after being caught on CCTV depositing waste bags into large communal domestic waste bins that she was not authorised to use. The bins are provided specifically for residents living in nearby flats and are not for public use. 

The offence took place in Gale Street, an area that has experienced persistent problems with overflowing bins, fly-tipping and waste being deposited by people who are not entitled to use the communal facilities. Council officers identified the vehicle involved and, following enquiries, received an admission from Khida confirming that she had deposited the waste bags in the bins.  

A £500 Fixed Penalty Notice was issued, giving Khida the opportunity to avoid prosecution by paying the penalty. However, the notice remained unpaid and the council proceeded with legal action.  

The court ordered Khida to pay a £334 fine, £500 in council costs and a £133 victim surcharge, totalling £967. 

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: "The communal bins in Gale Street are provided for the residents who rely on them every day. When people who are not entitled to use them dump their waste there, bins quickly fill up, creating litter, attracting further fly-tipping and causing frustration for local people."

"There is no excuse for fly-tipping. Residents can dispose of waste responsibly using the services available to them, and we will continue to take action against those who choose not to do so. Our message is simple: if you dump waste illegally, you will be fined. 

The council has taken extensive enforcement action in the area, issuing more than 100 Fixed Penalty Notices linked to fly-tipping offences identified through CCTV footage at this location over the past year.