Published: Tuesday 04th June 2019 | 9.40am
A Telford man has been prosecuted for fly tipping on private land in Cannock.
On 20 May Mr John Antill from Stanwyck in Telford pleaded guilty to breaching Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Newcastle Under-Lyme Magistrates Court.
Mr Antill was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £684.75 as well as a victim surcharge of £30, totalling £834.75.
In August 2017 Mr Antill was witnessed by a member of the public dumping a large amount of waste in a field off Gains Lane in Cannock. The witness provided the details of the offender’s vehicle to Cannock Chase Council which was linked back to Mr Antill.
Documentation in the waste linked it to a property in Walsall and Council officers investigating the incident discovered that the producer of the waste engaged Mr Antill who also advertised his waste disposal services on Facebook. Mr Antill was paid to remove the waste and dispose of it correctly, however, that didn’t happen and the waste was fly-tipped on private land.
Councillor John Preece, Portfolio Leader for Environment said “We strongly recommend members of the public to check the credentials of anyone offering waste disposal services especially when using the services of those advertising on social media. A list of legitimate registered waste carriers is available of the Environment Agency’s website. Making a note of the vehicle and its registration number as well as obtaining a receipt from the waste carrier is advisable.
Householders have a duty to ensure that the person that they are paying to remove their waste is a registered waste carrier. 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 in appropriate circumstances, in these cases offenders will find themselves facing a penalty of at least £200.”
The Council is 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. The witness in this case has received a £100 reward.
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
- Details of any documents in the waste