A man has been slapped with a 'formal written warning' from the council for leaving his bins out too long - when he was at work. CCTV worker Philip Robinson had put his bins out before leaving for work and his partner was away on holiday.
But he later received the 'formal written warning' from Stoke-on-Trent City Council. It comes as the council is threatening to seize wheelie bins left out after 7pm on collection days in a new crackdown.
And the council also slapped Philip with a £400 fly-tipping fine after he left out four cardboard boxes with his rubbish, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.
Now Philip has pledged to fight the penalty. The council says Philip's case is 'under investigation'.
The 53-year-old said: "I put the rubbish out and turned the bin handle towards the road. Then I got two letters - one saying I had a warning and another saying I had a £400 fine. They told me the fine was for 'failing to transfer the rubbish'.
"I am annoyed. This whole thing comes across as absolutely petty and stupid. It was very disappointing. They have drawn their battle lines. They have given me a headache and I don't need it. I just think that they bully people into submission. It is ridiculous and I just think they could think more compassionately.
"It is baffling that they just want to make money and heartache for people. If they can improve procedures in any way, then they should."
A council spokesman said: "The case is under investigation with Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s environmental crime unit and we are in contact with Mr Robinson.
"Stoke-on-Trent City Council operates a strict zero-tolerance approach towards waste offences and where evidence supports, relevant enforcement action will be taken."
