Flytipper made to pay in dumping crackdown (From The Argus)

Flytipper made to pay in dumping crackdown

10:36am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News

A flytipper has been ordered to pay compensation after taking cash from the public to remove their rubbish.

Gary Cooper, 26, of Batts Bridge, Maresfield, pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court to fly-tipping on two occasions in 2011 and has been ordered to pay compensation and costs of nearly £500.

He admitted fly-tipping in Wilmington and Cooksbridge in Lewes on Monday, September 3.

The court heard how members of the public in Seaford and Brighton had paid Mr Cooper to remove waste from their properties.

The residents drove past the Chalk Pit car park in Wilmington shortly afterwards and were dismayed to see that their waste had been dumped there.

Investigations led to the person who employed Mr Cooper and eventually to Mr Cooper himself, although he had used a different name when making the collections.

Magistrates awarded both witnesses compensation amounting to the fees they paid Mr Cooper which totalled £290. Wealden District Council and Lewes District Council were involved in a joint prosecution.

Each received a £100 contribution to their costs.

In Wealden 93 per cent of fly tips are removed within two days of being reported to the council. This case maintains Wealden District Council’s Street Scene team’s 100 per cent success rate in court prosecutions.

Councillor Rowena Moore, Wealden Cabinet member for waste management, said: “The full extent of Mr Cooper’s illegal activities came to light at a regular meeting of local authority enforcement team officers and helped lead to a concerted effort to bring Mr Cooper to justice.

“We are very grateful to the members of the public who came forward to help with the prosecution. Through everyone being observant and working together we can stamp out the activities of the fly-tippers who, though few in number, make such a ugly impact in our countryside.”

If anyone comes across fly-tipping or suspicious activity in Wealden please make a note of any vehicle or persons involved and telephone Wealden District Council on 01892 602735 or email works@wealden.gov.uk. Do not approach or attempt to apprehend any person involved.

All householders and businesses have a duty of care to ensure their waste is taken away to proper sites by authorised individuals or companies.

These individuals and companies must be registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.

Registered waste carriers will happily volunteer the information, and if you have any doubts, you can always check the Environment Agency online register on its website or ring 0845 603 3113.