FLY-tipped waste from home improvement works has landed a Middlesbrough man with a hefty fine and a criminal record (Photos on Flickr).
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The waste was discarded in a Middlesbrough town centre back alley, causing an eyesore and health hazard.
An investigation by Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Enforcement team this week resulted in a total court bill of £4,357.80 for the culprit.
Appearing before Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Peter John McGee denied a charge of allowing or causing waste to be dumped.
After a trial, the 42-year-old landlord, of Endsleigh Drive, Middlesbrough, was found guilty and fined £2,500 with costs of £1,842.80 and a £15 victim surcharge.
The court heard how a complaint was made to Middlesbrough Council last October about abandoned waste in an alleyway to the rear of Emerald Street.
Initial investigations revealed a large fly-tip of household fixtures and fittings including old window frames, wood, shelving, MDF boards, plaster boards, internal and external doors, lino flooring and used sealant dispensers.
Much of the waste had nails and sharp edged wooden splinters and protruding broken glass, and there were shards of broken glass strewn around the alleyway.
A trail led from the debris to an address in Emerald Street where it appeared work had recently been carried out, including the installation of UPVC windows.
The waste was subsequently removed by the Council’s Area Care Service and the owner of the property identified as Mr McGee.
Attempts to contact him in writing received no response, and when he was contacted by telephone he denied carrying out any work to the property.
He also failed to attend interviews arranged to take place at Council offices in December and January, although he repeated his denials when contacted again by phone, claiming previous tenants at the property were to blame.
The defendant was represented in court by solicitor Lee Goodchild.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Community Protection, said: “Everybody has a duty to ensure their waste is disposed of properly so that it does not cause harm or pollute the environment, and the laws surrounding disposal of waste are very clear.
“Members of the public have a right to expect that unsightly and potentially hazardous material will be dealt with in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
“We are always happy to offer guidance – but we will not hesitate to investigate and take action against those who flagrantly break the law. Let this be a warning to all landlords to dispose of waste from their properties responsibly and legally.”
