A WOMAN who did not clear up her dog’s mess has been ordered to pay nearly £1,400.

Jean Benson was found guilty of allowing her pet to foul the footpath and failing to clear it up afterwards, in Thames Drive, Chadwell St Mary, last October.

The 56-year-old from Crouch Road in the town, was summonsed to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court after she failed to pay the fixed penalty notice she was given.

Benson failed to appear in court twice and was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £993 in her absence.

Thurrock Council's head of public protection, Lucy Magill, said the council takes dog fouling very seriously.

She said: “Dog fouling is one of the things our communities complain about most.

"It is unpleasant and dog owners must take responsibility for their pets and, as this case proves, we will take action against those that don’t.”