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Hoarder given criminal behaviour order over untidy garden

Ted Peskett
Local Democracy Reporting Service
LDRS Rubbish at the door of a property. There is garden waste, plant pots, bottles and black bags. LDRS
William Glyn Cross, 80, was ordered by the council to clean the back garden of his property in 2022

A hoarder has been handed a criminal behaviour order by a local authority for failing to clean his garden.

This means Cardiff council officers can now enter his property by force to clean it up.

William Glyn Cross, 80, from Spring Grove in Thornhill, was fined and ordered by Cardiff council to clean his garden in 2022 after neighbours complained it was so overgrown and unkept that it was attracting vermin.

As well as being fined £100 more in April 2025 for continuing not to comply with the notice, the criminal behaviour order now means the council can enter his property to clear it.

LDRS Rubbish at the door of a property. There is garden waste, plant pots, bottles, a watering can, bottles and cans. LDRS
Neighbours complained that the back garden of Mr Cross' property was so overgrown and unkept that it was attracting vermin

The initial enforcement notice stated the property had to be cleaned and cleared of rubbish by July 21, 2022, or the council could clear the waste in default and charge the landowner.

Cardiff council said local authority contractors were sent to clean up the garden but they were refused access.

Cross was fined £250 for failing to comply with the legal notice following a hearing at Cardiff Magistrates' Court in August 2023.

As the issue continued, he was taken to court again in March 2025 but failed to attend leading to the case being adjourned until 24 April.

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cardiff council's cabinet member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services, said there was no alternative but to take action.

"The owner of this property is causing unnecessary suffering to his neighbours due to the state of his back garden," she said.

"This has been going on for two years and his neighbours should not have to continue tolerating it.

"We have tried to help on numerous occasions but even when our contractors went to clear the accumulation of waste on his behalf he refused them access."

In a WalesOnline report from September 2023, Mr Cross said he was prepared to address the clutter at his property but wanted to do it on his own terms and said an enforced council clean-up would be a "desecration".