Ban for pigeon-feeding woman

Stock photo: Storyblocks

A Wanstead woman has received a court order banning her from feeding pigeons and foxes in an action brought by Redbridge Council. The council has issued a release with the details of the action:

Wanstead woman fined for blighting area

A Wanstead woman who ignored repeated council warnings to stop feeding pigeons because it was blighting the area has been handed a banning order and must pay fines and costs totalling £1,770.

Jennifer Bagram, 65, would dump large quantities of bird feed, raw meat, nuts and other food at the base of trees, open spaces and alleyways up to four times a day.

Barking Magistrates Court heard Miss Bagram attracted flocks of pigeons which caused damage to nearby properties and forced residents to install anti-bird measures such as spikes.

Fed-up neighbours reported rat infestations in their homes and gardens in Grosvenor Road, E11, where she lived. 

Families of foxes would also descend on the area – digging up and nesting in gardens causing distress to local people. Witnesses also reported that Bagram would enter private gardens without permission to spread food and was abusive when asked to stop.

Following an increasing number of complaints, Redbridge Council stepped in to issue a Community Protection Notice in 2016 but Bagram continued to put out food near her property and on the High Road.
She repeatedly flouted the notices over the next two years and was caught on CCTV in January 2018 failing to comply.

On 14 September 2018 Bagram pleaded guilty to breaching six CPN’s with the case adjourned until 2 November 2018 for a full Criminal Behaviour Order hearing and sentencing.

Three local residents attended to give evidence.  Magistrates handed Bagram a fine of £600 for breaching the notices and ordered her to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £170.

An indefinite CBO was imposed banning Bagram from putting out food anywhere in the borough or abusing anyone that has reported her anti-social behaviour. A breach of the order could lead to an increased fine or imprisonment.

Cabinet Member for Civic Pride Cllr John Howard said: “We have tried to work with Miss Bagram but unfortunately our repeated warnings have been ignored.  The amount of food she was throwing in the street on daily basis was attracting large numbers of rats and pigeons, which were causing serious problems for residents for many years.  It’s not fair for local people to be suffering because of her persistent anti-social behaviour and she left us with no option but to take court action.”

Issued by Redbridge Council,  7 November 2018