Published: Tuesday, 19th March 2019
A 21 year old man from Walsall has been successfully prosecuted, following a large amount of waste being dumped in Little Wyrley.
On 12 March 2019 Bradley McDonald from Walsall pleaded guilty to a duty of care offence under the Environmental Protection Act at Newcastle-Under-Lyme Magistrates Court.
Mr McDonald was fined £230 and ordered to pay costs of £708.75 as well as a victim surcharge of £30, totaling £968.75.
Evidence found in the dumped waste led Officers to Bradley McDonald in July 2018. Mr McDonald claimed that he had paid ‘a man with a van’ to remove the waste from his property. However, Mr McDonald did not have any details of the man who removed the waste for him, he therefore did not fulfil his duty of care.
Householders have a duty to ensure that the person that they are paying to remove their waste is a registered waste carrier. Householders should ask to see a copy of the person’s waste carriers licence, or phone the Environment Agency to check, on 08708 506 506.
Never allow anyone to take rubbish who only gives a mobile phone number in an advertisement or knocks on the door and offers a service.
The Council now has new powers which enable Officers to issue fixed penalty notices for Householder Duty of Care offences, in appropriate circumstances and offenders will find themselves facing a penalty of at least £200.
Councillor John Preece, Portfolio Leader for Environment said “I would urge everyone in the District to be the Council’s eyes and ears and to report any fly tipping to us. We are determined to stamp out fly tipping, which is a blight on our communities and our countryside. But we do need the public’s help on this. This case demonstrates that, when we have the evidence, we will be rigorous in getting a prosecution.”
The Council is also continuing to offer a £100 reward to anyone who provides evidence that leads to the successful conviction of any person, business or other organisation involved in fly tipping waste in the District.
Anyone who witnesses fly tipping in the District is urged to report it to Cannock Chase Council by calling 01543 462621. Key information to pass on includes:
- The date and time of the incident
- The model, make, registration number and colour of any vehicle used
- A description of the offender or offenders