Three relatives who dumped tree cuttings in a ditch have each been hit with fines by South Holland District Council.
Edward Church, Scott Church, Jamie Church and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, dumped the waste near Spalding on March 27 2017.
That evening, they towed a trailer full of tree cuttings to South Drove Common in Spalding, with the intention of dumping it.
They started unloading but were disturbed by members of the public who reported the incident to South Holland District Council.
“If any business or individual is considering getting rid of unwanted waste they must do so within the law, by using your local council, hiring a licenced waste disposer or visiting your local tip.”
When interviewed by the authority’s Environmental Enforcement Officer, Jeremy Dodd, days later, they admitted dumping the cuttings in Martins Road, Shepeau Stow.
A fourth relative, Steven Church, who was not present during the offence but was questioned regarding the incident, admitted not having a waste carriers licence.
All five offenders appeared at Boston Magistrates’ Court recently. Edward Church, Scott Church, Jamie Church and the youth pleaded guilty to illegally disposing waste. Steven Church pleaded guilty to not having a waste carriers licence.
- Steven Church was fined £200, ordered to pay costs of £166.61 and a victim surcharge of £30.
- Edward Church was fined £115, ordered to pay costs of £204.11 and a £30 victim surcharge.
- Scott Church was fined £120, ordered to pay costs of £300 and a £30 victim surcharge.
- Jamie Church was fined £120, ordered to pay costs of £204.11 and a £30 victim surcharge.
- The 17-year-old youth was given a six-month referral order and ordered to pay £204.11 and a £20 victim surcharge.
- Roger Gambba-Jones, South Holland District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Place, said: “We are satisfied with the penalties, which demonstrate, once again, that fly-tipping can be a very costly crime.
“We would also like to thank the members of the public who took the time to notify us of the incident and give us sufficient information, allowing us to pursue it to these successful prosecutions.
“If any business or individual is considering getting rid of unwanted waste they must do so within the law, by using your local council, hiring a licenced waste disposer or visiting your local tip.”