A man from Weston-super-Mare has been ordered to pay fines and costs of over £4,000 following a prosecution for fly-tipping brought by North Somerset Council.
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Council: North Somerset Council
Fine: £175
Costs: £4,302
Total: £4,477
Paul Allen of Upper Church Road in the town appeared before North Somerset magistrates on Tuesday 28 January when he was fined £175 for the offence, £20 victim surcharge, £302 clearance costs and £4,000 costs to the council.
In late August 2012, North Somerset Council received a report of fly-tipping of what was described as general building rubbish on land at South Hills Farm, Bleadon. Following a lengthy investigation which included liaising with local police, enquiries led to Paul Allen. When interviewed he admitted that he (in the company of another man who couldn’t be traced) collected the waste from a skip in Milton and dumped it on the farmland.
He was summonsed and attended court last week where he was at first pleading not guilty but changed his plea to guilty.
Welcoming the outcome of the prosecution, Cllr Peter Bryant, North Somerset Council’s executive member for environment, said: “This was a protracted enquiry, but our officers were tenacious and were successful in getting this case to court which has resulted in total fines and costs of £4,497.92. Magistrates also warned him that if he defaulted on his payments he would risk imprisonment.
“This case shows we will investigate and prosecute those who blight our towns and villages by dumping waste. I would ask all law-abiding citizens to be extra vigilant and report any violations to us.”
