A MAN from London was fined by Basildon Magistrates on Wednesday (5 August) after being convicted of a charge linked to the Cory’s Wharf fly-tip in Purfleet last year.
Thirty-three-year-old Adam Coles of Slaithaite Road, London, had denied an offence against the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The Act says householders must “take all such measures available” as are reasonable to make sure any household waste is only transferred “to an authorised person or to a person for authorised transport purposes”.
The court was told that when Thurrock Council examined the fly-tipped material last year evidence was found that some of it had come from the defendant.
Council officers found cardboard boxes belonging to Coles at the site, and when he wrote to the council, he confirmed that he was renovating his house and had left some building waste, old bathroom fittings, and packaging in his driveway which was then collected.
The defendant told the court he had looked at other firms on the internet and he had looked to see if his local council would take his waste.
He chose a firm which had posted a “glossy” flier through his door, the men he spoke to sounded professional and courteous. He did not investigate this firm online.
He added that he had spoken to the firm in question on the phone again on Tuesday (4 August).
The Magistrates found Coles guilty and fined him £500, with £560 costs, £500 compensation, and a £50 victim surcharge.
Following the conclusion of the case, a spokesman for Thurrock Council said: “We will pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry in relation to this and other fly tipping incidents in Thurrock.
“Where individuals or media organisations acquire information or evidence of fly tipping activity we would welcome it if this was passed on to us.
“Should we obtain sufficient evidence to prosecute people for fly tipping in addition to those guilty of duty of care offences we will vigorously pursue these actions.
“Our investigations always prioritise people guilty of fly tipping over duty of care offences, but evidence to convict the actual tippers is not always available.”
