Mother-of-two who was hauled to court after council accused her of fly-tipping

A mother-of-two was dragged through an 11-month legal wrangle by a council because flowers addressed to her were found among dumped rubbish. 

Lauren Pinhorne was confronted by investigators who came to her door claiming she had tossed a plastic bag containing the flowers and an old diary at the side of a road.

The 37-year-old vehemently protested her innocence, but Test Valley Borough Council instigated an 11 month legal process, costing taxpayers thousands of pounds.

However, after a day and a half long trial it took jurors at Winchester Crown Court just 20 minutes to clear Ms Pinhorne of fly tipping.

Ms Pinhorne, who was granted legal aid for the case, said the council had spent 'at least £8,000' taking her to court, adding she hoped they would learn a lesson and stop wasting taxpayer's money.

She said her personal life was 'dragged through the court' as her diary entries were read aloud. 

The mother-of-two said she believed the flowers could have been a Valentine's Day gift from a former boyfriend, while the diary had gone missing from her home months earlier. 

A spokeswoman for the council claimed they had carried out a 'thorough' investigation, adding it was 'important' to prosecute people they believe have been fly tipping.

Winchester Crown Court heard a bag containing flowers addressed to Mrs Pinhorne and an old 2017 diary of hers were found on February 12, last year. 

Despite telling investigators she knew nothing about the dumping of either of the items in Andover, Hampshire, they refused to believe her.





MailOnline