A SOUTH Gloucestershire man has been found guilty in court for fly-tipping in Pilning.

Craig Walsh, of Blakeney Road in Patchway has been handed a 10-week community order and curfew, requiring him to wear an electronic tag, after appearing before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 25.

The prosecution put forward by South Gloucestershire Council’s environmental protection team came after two separate loads of fly tipped waste, including a lawn mower, rubber, plastics, metal, insulation material, soft furnishings, wood and packaging, were discovered in the exact same location.

The mess was blocking a rural public footpath off the A403 in Pilning in June this year, with evidence relating to two addresses found amongst the fly tip.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that Walsh had agreed to collect both waste loads after being contacted via social media.

When interviewed, Walsh admitted that he did not have the necessary licence to carry waste or paperwork for moving the waste.

Despite stating that he had received payment for the removal of both loads of waste and had personally collected the first load himself, he claimed that he had lent an unidentified male his vehicle and subcontracted the collection of the second load and disposal of both loads to this anonymous man. Walsh refused to name the man and admitted that he had liability for his waste.

In court, Walsh pleaded guilty to three charges; two for fly tipping and one for not having a registered waste carriers licence and was handed a 10-week community order for each charge, along with a curfew at his home address between 6pm and 6am for the same period and a requirement to wear an electronic tag.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £85 victim surcharge.

Cllr Heather Goddard, South Gloucestershire Council’s executive member for communities and tourism, said: “Fly tipping is an issue that affects our communities and local environment and this will not be tolerated in South Gloucestershire.

On this occasion a lane had to be closed on the A403 to access the site and facilitate the clean-up, at considerable inconvenience to motorists and cost to the Council.

“This case shows how important it is to have the right documents if you are carrying waste. Waste crime puts the environment at risk and anyone found to be removing waste illegally will be prosecuted.”

Residents who see illegal fly tipping are encouraged to report it by using the web form at www.southglos.gov.uk/flytipping or emailing streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

Residents and businesses are advised to only give their rubbish to an Environment Agency registered waste carrier.

Contractors should ensure that they hold a registered waste carriers licence and they comply with the waste transfer note requirements.

Unwanted goods and household or garden waste can all be disposed of at no cost via the council’s Sort It centres.