A motor trading company that repeatedly refused to stop storing a large number of vehicles on public roads to the detriment of local people has been prosecuted by Enfield Council.
Second-hand car sales business Walata Motors Limited of Doncaster Road and its director Olawale Olarinde Edmonton were found guilty of being in breach of the S.48 Anti-Social Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014 and of not adhering to community protection notices.
The business and director were convicted on 30 April 2018 at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay a total of £2,560.
The charges to each included costs of £500, victim surcharge of £30 and a fine of £750. They had entered pleas of not guilty on 1 February 2018.
Enfield Council had received many complaints about Walata Motors and enforcement officers had made numerous visits to the business.
Walata Motors had been storing in excess of 50 vehicles at multiple locations within Enfield, including but not limited to Houndsfield Road, Bridlington Road, Ripon Road, Cleveland Road, Doncaster Road, Tudor Road and St Joseph’s Road in Edmonton.
This was found to have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of neighbours and members of the public, namely due to the sheer number of cars parked in the area.
The Court ordered that the vehicles must be removed from the public highway. Any vehicles that remain can be impounded by Enfield Council which has the authority to destroy any cars that are not claimed by the registered owners by 18 June 2018.
The business has lodged an appeal against the conviction.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, Cllr Nneka Keazor, said, “This conviction is incredibly important for us and the people of Enfield.
"It not only indicates that we take an extremely dim view of businesses who ignore the rules but also shows that we will use Community Protection Orders for this type of anti-social activity and prosecute anyone who thinks they are above the law.
"We are happy to support local businesses in any way that we can but we will take robust action if they cannot operate legally, respectfully and harmoniously with the local community.”
Earlier this year, Enfield Council received overwhelming support by the public for new Public Spaces Protection Orders, which provide Enfield Council with more effective powers to help reduce anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Read more about anti-social behaviour and how to report it.