A builder who blighted his street by storing debris and construction materials outside his home has been jailed.

Patrick Cusack, 51, of Pentland Close, Golders Green, was jailed for two months after ignoring requests to clear the front and back gardens of his semi-detached home.

The land surrounding the house was left strewn with builder’s waste and materials.

He was even using a van in the driveway as a place to store more rubbish.

Cusack was fined for similar offences in 2010 and jailed for the first time for two months in 2012.

Despite keeping his property clear for a time following his first jail term, he was found to have offended again and was brought before magistrates in August 2017.

He was handed a two-month suspended prison sentence on condition he cleared the land surrounding his home.

Cusack failed to clear his land, and within weeks planning enforcement officers discovered he was once again bringing materials and debris into his garden.

Officers found he was using the land to store a whole host of builder’s waste ranging from rubble and tarpaulins, to roofing felt and carpets.

After several visits, the council’s planning enforcement team applied to the court for Cusack’s suspended sentence to be enforced.

He appeared in court on March 8 and was jailed for two months.

He was also ordered to pay more than £9,000 in costs.

Cath Shaw, Barnet Council deputy chief executive, said: “This case highlights how important it is to heed planning enforcement warnings.

“It is not acceptable to ignore action being taken and it can ultimately result in a large fine, court proceedings and even time in prison.”