Man handed ASBO for collecting rubbish and storing it in garden

A man who travelled around amenity sites in Belfast on his push-bike collecting rubbish and storing it in his garden has been issued with an ASBO - and banned from having more than two bicycles.

Belfast City Council said today a judge had issued the man with the ASBO - Anti-Social Behaviour Order – for two years at their request.

Brendan Ross, of Dunraven Crescent in the east of the city had already been issued with an interim ASBO for collecting rubbish from council-owned recycling centres and civic amenity sites – travelling around on a bicycle to collect the materials.

The ASBO was obtained following a conviction on June 2 after Mr Ross failed to comply with a previous court order to remove items from his garden, including discarded food that the council said was becoming a health hazard.

He was fined £500 (€578) and the council awarded costs of £69 (€80) at last week’s hearing.

A judge has now agreed to the council request for a two-year ASBO with a series of prohibitions.

The council said it prevents Mr Ross from storing items or materials in a way that is likely to be prejudicial to public health, or otherwise so as to cause alarm, harassment or distress to others.

He was also banned from collecting rubbish from private skips, bins or civic amenity/recycling sites – and is not permitted to have more than two bicycles in his possession.