Firm fined for dumping rubbish in street (From The Argus)

Firm fined for dumping rubbish in street

9:15pm Wednesday 18th June 2008 in News By Lawrence Marzouk

A business has been fined almost £1,500 after rubbish was found strewn across a city centre street.

American digital marketing company iCrossing Limited, formerly Spannerworks Limited, of Palace Place, Brighton, appeared before Brighton Magistrates Court charged with fly-tipping.

The court was told that on March 30 Brighton and Hove City Council enforcement officers were carrying out routine inspections when they found eight large black bags piled up against a wall.

One of the bags had been ripped open and the contents strewn across the street. Enforcement officers searched each bag and found evidence the refuse had come from iCrossing.

The company's chief operating officer, Ray Richards, was interviewed by the council and admitted the rubbish belonged to the company but was unable to explain how it ended up littering Palace Place.

The company pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a £900 fine and council costs of £544.

In addition, the company must also pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Magistrates were told that while it was accepted the refuse belonged to iCrossing Limited, an internal investigation had failed to pinpoint the reasons for it ending up in the street.

Geoffrey Theobald, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: "We are very pleased that magistrates are imposing tough penalties on those who litter our city streets.

"Companies are responsible for making sure their trade waste is properly secured and disposed of and this council will not hesitate to take legal action against those who flout the law.

"The message is clear - leave your rubbish on our streets and you'll end up in court."