Man prosecuted for abandoning vans
Published
Tuesday 1 April, 2025
Updated
Tuesday 1 April, 2025
A man who abandoned vehicles on streets across the Isle of Sheppey has been ordered to pay £7,000 following a successful prosecution by Swale Borough Council.
Haig Squire would park up to 25 work vans and other large vehicles at any one time, across Sheerness, which were in poor condition and posed health, fire and safety risks.
The council received more than 80 reports from the public and carried out a detailed investigation.
This resulted in Mr Squire being issued a Community Protection Notice (CPN) in 2020, which required him to stop immediately.
The CPN stated the vehicles were causing an obstruction, limiting parking for others in the area, were untidy, being used for commercial storage and a safety concern.
Mr Squire failed to comply with the conditions of the CPN, so in 2022 the council successfully prosecuted him at the Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.
Despite this, Mr Squire continued to breach the CPN and was found to have added to the number of vehicles being parked, mainly in Marine Town, New Road and Blue Town.
The council took him back to court and, on Friday 21 March 2025, he was found guilty of leaving, “abandoned, derelict vehicles around Sheppey that were a fire hazard and an attraction for rodents and waste”.
The Medway Magistrates’ Court ordered him to pay a £1,760 fine, a £704 surcharge and costs of £4,531.18, bringing the total amount to £7,001.18.
This consistent action has resulted in the vehicles being removed - but the council will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary.
District Commander for Swale, Kent Police, Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster, said:
“Kent Police and Swale Borough Council received multiple complaints from residents about these unroadworthy vehicles that were causing a hazard whilst placed in car parks and other public spaces across the area.
“We were pleased to support the work of the council’s environmental enforcement team in taking action against the person responsible.
“We will continue this support to ensure that any repeat of this antisocial activity receives a robust response.”
