William Glyn Cross, 80, from Spring Grove in Thornhill hit the headlines in 2022 when a waste enforcement notice was issued on him requiring him to clean up the back garden at his property in Cardiff.

The legal notice was issued by the council following numerous complaints from neighbours that the back garden at his property was so overgrown and unkept that it was attracting vermin, causing a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing.

The Shared Regulatory Services acted by issuing an enforcement notice on Mr Cross stating that the property had to be cleaned and cleared of rubbish by July 21^st 2022 or the council could clear the waste in default and charge the landowner.

William Glyn Cross failed to remove the rubbish from his back garden and refused access to council contractors that were tasked to clean up his garden, following his failure to do so.

Mr Cross was prosecuted at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in August 2023 for failing to comply with the legal notice and was fined £250. As the issues continued, the council took Mr Cross to court again on March 4^th 2025, but as he didn’t attend court, the case was adjourned until April 24^th when a further £100 fine was issued along with a Criminal Behaviour Order.

“Cllr Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member responsible for Shared Regulatory Services at Cardiff Council said: “The owner of this property is causing unnecessary suffering to his neighbours, due the state of his back garden. 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. There was no alternative but to take action against him.

“Now that the Criminal Behaviour Order is in place, the council has powers to enter the property by force to carry out the work, if we need to do so. We hope that Mr Cross will work with us, so we can tidy the garden and improve the environment for his neighbours.”