Householder fined after items fly-tipped in Tadley

A man who arranged for waste to be taken from his home by an unlicensed waste carrier, which was then dumped in Tadley, has been hit with a fine and costs of more than £1,500.

Abdulmutih Yilmaz, of Gregory Close, Basingstoke, was found guilty at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court for failing in his householder duty of care following a prosecution by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Bricks, soil and cardboard packaging linked to Mr Yilmaz were found fly-tipped in Church Lane, Tadley.

He was interviewed under caution and confirmed he had paid a third party to remove the rubbish from his property, but did so without making any checks or enquiries about the person collecting the waste.

Mr Yilmaz appeared at court on Friday, July 8, and pleaded not guilty to failing in his householder duty of care.

However, magistrates found him guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of £500, as well as £1,000 towards prosecution costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

The borough council’s cabinet member for partnerships Jenny Vaux said: “This case serves as an important reminder to residents that when they ask someone to remove their waste, they have a responsibility to check they are legitimate and that the waste will be disposed of lawfully.

“When arranging waste disposal, ask to see a waste carrier’s licence or check their details on the Environment Agency’s website.

“You can also ask for a traceable receipt, take photos of the vehicle used and of the waste taken away.

"We know that fly-tipping is an issue that our communities feel very strongly about.

“In many cases, we as individuals can help to stop it by doing these checks."

Offences of fly-tipping carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment at crown court.

Since May 2018, the council has convicted 48 individuals and companies for fly-tipping and related waste offences.