The owner of an empty property has been fined £2,500 after failing to maintain it for years.

The back of the property in Sidcup belonging to Roger Thompson, from Gravesend, was completely overgrown, and the garden was in such a bad state it had been used by passers-by to dispose of rubbish.

Mr Thompson was served with a Community Protection Notice under the Anti-Social Crime and Policing Act in May 2018.

A court heard the Gravesend landlord failed to take any steps to comply with the notice, which included maintaining the vegetation, rear garden, infrastructure and surrounds of the premises to "prevent detriment to the amenity of the area and the quality of life of others in the locality".

Mr Thompson was prosecuted and convicted in his absence. He was fined the maximum amount of £2,500. He will have to pay £1,420.49 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £190.

He was also issued with a Remedial Order to carry out the requirements of the Community Protection Notice.

Bexley Council's cabinet member for place, Cllr Peter Craske, said: "This fine should serve as a warning to other homeowners who leave empty properties to get into this kind of disgusting disrepair.

"The state of this property has caused distress to neighbours and the local community. I hope that the owner will now address these long overdue issues."