Motorist prosecuted after failing to pay fine for abandoned car

15 October 2025

A Northampton motorist has been ordered to pay almost £1,000 for abandoning a vehicle on a public street.

Idriz Noka left his Ford Focus in Roe Road in Northampton, ignoring official notices to remove it and then failing to pay a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice for the offence. The vehicle was later seized by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 after officers assessed it as abandoned.

His actions cost him almost five times that figure when the Council pursued prosecution at Northampton Magistrates Court, where he was found guilty in his absence.  

West Northamptonshire Council was represented by Scott Howkins at the hearing on 23 September, which saw Noka, of Florence Road in Northampton, fined £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £40 plus costs of £861.94. His seized vehicle was also destroyed.

Around 300 abandoned/untaxed vehicles are removed from the streets of West Northamptonshire each year thanks to the End of Life Vehicle Impound Scheme (or ELVIS), a joint operation between West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Police.  

“Abandoned cars are more than just an eyesore, they block roads, reduce parking for others and can attract vandalism or arson.

“We don’t want to see anyone end up with fines or court costs over something that can be avoided. If you’re struggling to keep your vehicle taxed or roadworthy, there are straightforward ways to deal with it safely and legally. Taking a few minutes to sort it properly can save a lot of trouble later”Councillor Andrew Last, WNC’s Cabinet member for HR, Corporate & Regulatory Services

Find out more about abandoned vehicles