A GROWING pile of rubbish landed a mum-of-two in court.

An inspector from Colchester Council’s environmental team counted 12 black bags in Shannon Britton’s front garden after she was given two weeks to clear it.

The complaint was first received in March last year when the inspector also found household baby items in the back garden and issued an abatement notice.

Britton, 22, admitted failing to comply with the notice under the Environmental Protection Act and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Rebekah Straughan, prosecuting, said: “A letter was hand-delivered to the house on March 7 which required her to clear the waste and prohibited a recurrence of the problem.

“On the council’s second inspection, the rubbish was gone, but accumulated again in August and she was given another two weeks to clear it.

“The accumulation was worse than when the original letter was sent out.

“In September, Miss Britton was given a final warning, and she contacted the council to say she was getting a skip.

“She was told it had to be cleared within four weeks or it would result in prosecution.”

Defending herself, Britton, of Prospero Close, Colchester, said she did not dispute the facts.

Britton said she was going through a difficult time which meant she had some time away from the home.

She said: “I’m horrendous at recycling and the bin bags accumulated.

“I put them in the front garden but was told I couldn’t leave them there because of pests so I moved them to the back until I could get rid of them.

“The garden is nearly clear. I’m working my bum off to get it done.

“It won’t happen again and I do apologise for what I’ve caused already.”

Chairman of the bench, Michael Ford, told Britton he did not want to see her again.

He said: “You do realise, and mentioned to the bench, your remorse, and it won’t happen again.

“It can’t happen again because you’ll be in a lot of trouble if it does. You are now.”

Britton was fined £120 and ordered to pay £130 costs.