Extending his property has proved costly for one homeowner as he forks out more than £5,000 in fines.

Yasin Mohamedassen, of Medcalf Road, in Enfield, was found guilty of failing to comply with planning regulations after building an extension to his home in March 2012.

Following a complaint in 2012, it was revealed that Mr Mohamedassen had not sought planning permission for his extension and was asked by the council to reduce it to a maximum of three metres by September 2013.

On October 23, 2013, an officer visited the premises and saw that no action had been taken to reduce the structure.

Mohamedassen was summoned to court in 2014 to answer why he had not complied with the enforcement notice. At the hearing on May 22, he pleaded not guilty.

On August 28, 2015, he was sentenced by the judge who said in his opinion the defendant had been "foolish".

The judge also remarked this was a "fight he could not win" and advised if Mr Mohamedassen did not alter the extension he would incur further costs.

He was fined £5,500 in costs and a victim surcharge of £100 at Wood Green Crown Court.

Councillor Daniel Anderson, cabinet member for environment, said: “Planning rules are there to protect residents from inappropriate and disruptive developments, and it is completely unacceptable for any individual to ignore the law and any instructions to modify a structure when the council intervenes.

“The ruling by the court is a clear warning to people who build without consideration to their neighbours or their surroundings, and think they can do whatever they want regardless of the impact their activities have on people living near their homes.

“We will not tolerate anyone who displays a calculated disregard for the law and cynical indifference to the effect of their actions on their neighbours, and we will always work tirelessly to protect the interest of the people living in this borough.”