Fly-tipper fined £1,500 after being caught on camera

He was also ordered to pay a total of £635 in costs and compensation.
The prosecution arose from an investigation by West Berkshire Council’s waste team into an incident on March 16 at Bennets Hill, Burghfield. The area is a known hotspot for fly tipping incidents.
At 6.20am on that day, a vehicle registered to Mr Walker was caught on camera tipping a large quantity of tree cuttings on the verge.
Mr Walker was subsequently arrested and interviewed and admitted that he had been responsible for the fly-tipping.
As a result he was charged with one offence under Section 33 of the Environment Protection Act 1990 and on Tuesday of this week he entered a guilty plea when appearing before magistrates.
In sentencing Mr Walker, the magistrates stated that an aggravating factor was that the waste that had been unlawfully tipped had been commercial waste.
The waste should have been sent to a licensed site for disposal.
The magistrates also acknowledged that fly-tipping placed an additional burden on the council and that local authority budgets should not have to be spent on clearing up fly-tipped waste.
Thames Valley Police assisted the council in its investigation, and brought separate proceedings against Mr Walker for driving the vehicle used in the incident without insurance.
Mr Walker pleaded guilty to this matter brought by the Crown Prosecution Service, and was fined £400 and given six penalty points on his licence.
Mr Walker was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.
West Berkshire Executive councillor for waste, Dominic Boeck said: “This penalty sends a clear message that illegal dumping of waste will not be tolerated and where we are able to identify the perpetrators prosecution is likely.
“Those committing such offences face the risk of a fine up to £50,000 and/or imprisonment, as well as paying for the cost of clear-up and potentially having their vehicle confiscated.”
Anyone witnessing fly-tipping incidents is asked to record as much information as possible and contact West Berkshire Council’s Customer Services on (01635) 519080 or e-mail