A dog owner has been given a £1,500 fine for not cleaning up his pet's mess in his own garden.

Craig Wood, 25, from Benfleet, Essex, appeared before Basildon Magistrates Court after he ignored five warnings from Castle County Council to clean up the poo.

Residents first complained last summer, claiming the mess was causing a bad smell.

Residents first complained last summer, claiming the mess was causing a bad smell (stock image)

He was given an abatement notice which ordered the mess to be cleared and prevent any future dog mess from accumulating.

Mr Wood continued to ignore the order and he was eventually brought before court and fined £1,485 and an addional £31 in victim surcharge was also added.

Some neighbours have claimed there is still dog poo out in the garden, even after the court action.

One neighbour told the Halstead Gazette: 'I don't live in the block, so have not dealt with it directly, but I have been told and I think a few neighbours were getting frustrated.

'It can't be nice to see, and we all know dog mess stinks, so you'd be very annoyed if you could constantly smell it.

'Fair play to the council for taking action against him, hopefully it is a bit of a warning to others.'

Some neighbours have claimed there is still dog poo out in the garden, even after the court action (stock image)

A spokesman for Castle Point Council said: 'Castle Point Borough Council's Environmental Health Service has successfully prosecuted a resident on five counts of breaching an abatement notice served under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

'Mr Craig Wood pleaded guilty to five breaches of the notice and was fined a total of £1,485 for the breaches, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £31 and full costs of £1,289.75 were awarded to the Council.

'Following a visit by the Service an abatement notice was served requiring the mess to be cleared and also to prevent dog fouling accumulating again.

'Further complaints were received and despite being given a written warning, Mr Wood continued to breach the notice.'