Man fined for abandoning vehicle

A Carmarthen man has been fined £500 for abandoning a car on land in the town.

Philip Brian Woodhead was prosecuted by Carmarthenshire County Council for abandoning a Ford Focus on land outside Rama Chapel House, Uplands, Carmarthen.

Andrew Rogers, prosecuting, told Carmarthen Magistrates Court on Friday that the vehicle was abandoned on or before May 29 last year, and a notice was placed on it on May 30 for it to be removed.

The council wrote to 47-year-old Mr Woodhead, of Mansel Street, Carmarthen, after a check with the DVLA revealed that he was the registered keeper. There was a follow up visit and letter.

Mr Rogers said: “The vehicle was subsequently removed by an approved contractor and a Fixed Penalty Notice was issued. That has never been paid.”

The magistrates convicted Mr Woodhead who did not attend court.

He was fined £500, costs were awarded in the sum of £238.12, and a £50 victim surcharge was applied.

The council’s executive board member for enforcement Cllr Jim Jones said: “This prosecution by the council and the fine imposed by magistrates show that the authorities will take action when people abandon vehicles.”