Fly-tipper prosecuted for TWO offences – she is ordered to pay £1,800
A fly-tipper has been ordered to pay £1,800 for illegally dumping waste near her home in St Albans.
A Morrisons shopping trolley stuffed with bags of household waste was found near flats at Dellfield, Cunningham Hill.
An officer from St Albans City and District Council’s enforcement team examined the contents and found evidence identifying the suspect.
Ten days later, another Morrisons trolley was found abandoned in the Alban Way containing rubbish bags and a discarded clothes airer.
The enforcement team identified the suspect as the same person.
The woman concerned failed to appear for two interviews before answering a third interview request.
After the interview, she was issued with Fixed Penalty Notice fines, totalling £1,400, but failed to pay despite reminders. As a result, the Council decided to prosecute.
She pleaded guilty to two offences of fly-tipping at a hearing at St Albans Magistrates Court on Wednesday 30 July.
She was fined £300 for each offence and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £240 along with a contribution to the Council’s legal costs of £960.
Magistrates allowed her to pay the total of £1,800 with monthly payments of £50 in view of her financial circumstances.
Councillor Terrie Smith, the Council’s Lead for Fly-tipping, said after the hearing:
Fly-tipping is a serious crime and we will not hesitate in taking appropriate action against offenders.
The defendant in this instance chose not to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice fines and it left us with no option but to prosecute.
The cost to her is considerable which will help offset the significant amount of time and staff effort costs.
Fly-tipping is not only unsightly, but also a potential health hazard and it can cost substantial sums to clear up.
This is the sixth successful prosecution we have undertaken this year which is a demonstration of our commitment to deter potential offenders.
Photo: the Dellfield fly-tip, left, and the Alban Way fly-tip, right.
Contact for the media: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.