A FLY-TIPPER must fork out nearly £1,500 after documents bearing his name were found in rubbish discarded in Aust.
Rob Edwards, 45, formerly of Patchway but now of no fixed abode, appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court on October 27 after being prosecuted by South Gloucestershire Council.
He pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care regarding waste and was handed a £380 fine with £875 costs plus a £152 victim surcharge - a total of £1,407.
The court heard that a fly-tip of household items and waste was discovered in Redhill Lane, Aust on January 4 which contained documentation relating to Edwards.
Further inquiries led SGC's environmental enforcement officers to an address in Windermere Road, Patchway where Edwards was living at the time.
When Edwards was interviewed under caution on June 5 he claimed someone had offered to remove the waste from his Patchway address for no payment but he could not provide a name or identify them at all.
He was advised he would be reported for summons for the offence.
Edwards was scheduled to appear before Bristol Magistrates Court on October 13 but failed to attend, resulting in the case being adjourned until October 27, where he appeared and pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care.
Sean Rhodes, SGC cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement, said: "I hope our enforcement action against fly-tipping acts as a deterrent to anyone who fails in their duty of care for waste disposal.
"If you dump waste illegally in South Gloucestershire, we will take enforcement action against you.
"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 take
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