Herefordshire Council has won an enforcement case against a man found guilty of failing in his duty when disposing of an old caravan full of waste.
On Tuesday 3 May, Hereford magistrates heard how in June 2021, officers of the council’s community protection team found a caravan dumped behind the Romney Huts in Rotherwas, Hereford. The caravan was full of vehicle and mechanical waste, including 30 old tyres, car parts and engine oil. Evidence found in the waste led officers to Aaron Murray, Hereford.
Murray admitted the caravan of waste was his and that he kept it at his storage yard in Rotherwas. He alleged that he had been paid £200 in cash in June 2021 by someone wanting to take the caravan and waste away for scrap metal. Murray was unable to provide any information about the alleged payer or a waste transfer note, which meant the transaction could not be traced.
Murray was fined £500, ordered to pay costs of £1,099 and a victim surcharge of £50.
Marc Willimont, the council’s head of public protection, says:
“Unlawful waste disposal and fly-tipping costs council tax payers tens of thousands of pounds each year. It potentially harms wildlife and blights our beautiful countryside.
“Yet, time and time again we see some businesses continue to fly-tip to avoid the cost of disposing of their waste lawfully. I cannot stress enough that all businesses must ensure appropriate measures are in place so their waste is disposed of correctly. Businesses must also keep documentation for at least two years to show who they transferred the waste to, otherwise we will presume they tipped it, unless they can prove otherwise. Anyone found fly-tipping will always be prosecuted.”
The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is a £50,000 fine and/ or five years imprisonment.
Our community protection team will investigate unlawful waste disposal and fly-tipping cases reported via the council’s website or by calling 01432 261761.
Visit herefordshire.gov.uk/recycling for information about responsible waste disposal.