A MAN has been ordered to pay more than £4,500 in fines and costs after admitting fly-tipping on a country lane in Coalpit Heath.
Royston Tucker, aged 34, of Alexander Road, Frenchay, also admitted a waste transfer offence when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court in May.
He was ordered to pay a £3,000 fine, a £1,000 victim surcharge and South Gloucestershire Council’s costs of £525.
Householders paid £140 after answering ads
After the prosecution the council advised people not to be “tempted” by cheap waste clearance services offered on on sites such as Facebook and Gumtree.
The court heard that rubbish dumped in Serridge Lane, Coalpit Heath, last September was traced after council environmental enforcement officers searched it and found paperwork that led them to two addresses.
Both householders had paid Tucker, the sole trader of R&R Waste Clearance Ltd, £140 for waste to be removed from their homes.
Officers visited addresses found in the waste and discovered that both householders had each paid £140 for waste to be removed from their homes.
They were shown photos of the Serridge Lane fly-tip and each identified some of the waste as rubbish they had paid Tucker to properly dispose of.
Tucker was interviewed and admitted picking the waste up from both addresses before dumping it.
‘Be wary’ of social media ads
Council cabinet member for environmental enforcement Sean Rhodes said: “I hope this latest prosecution acts as a deterrent to anyone who fails in their duty of care for waste disposal.
“If you dump waste illegally in South Glos, you will be held accountable.
“Fly-tipping is not just an eyesore – it’s a crime that damages our environment and burdens our communities.
“We urge residents to always check that waste carriers are properly licensed and to report any suspicious activity.
“Residents are advised to be wary of businesses or people advertising waste clearances on social media sites such as Facebook.
“There are a number of legitimate options for waste removal, including the council’s large household waste collection service. If you hire a third-party to dispose of your waste, always ask for a copy of the company’s waste carrier registration certificate and ask where the waste is being taken.”
Check waste licence
People can check whether the waste carrier is registered by calling the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visiting the online register.
Residents who see illegal fly-tipping are encouraged to report it on 01454 868000, email streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or visitwww.southglos.gov.uk/flytipping.