Man caught red handed for dumping waste in countryside

A fly-tipper has been given a hefty fine after being caught illegally dumping waste in South Derbyshire’s idyllic countryside.

Mohammed Arfaq, of Stonehill Road, Derby, received a £1,000 fine and ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £1,457.82 legal costs within two months. He has also been disqualified from driving for six months.

The 32-year-old dumped mixed household and building waste in Staker Lane, Findern on Wednesday, May 24. His actions were captured by surveillance cameras set up by South Derbyshire District Council at the fly-tipping hotspot. Signage is displayed to highlight that the cameras are in place.

Arfaq pleaded guilty to the illegal disposal of waste and failing to discharge his duty of care to the disposal under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court.

Cllr Peter Watson, Chairman of the Environment and Development Services Committee at the District Council, said:

“This latest prosecution demonstrates our zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping and our commitment to ensuring South Derbyshire remains clean and green.

“The installation of surveillance cameras is just one deterrent we use to prevent fly-tipping from having a negative impact on our environment. Our officers are also using new powers to combat and seize vehicles involved in fly-tipping as a preventative measure.

“We hope this sends out a clear message that fly-tipping on our idyllic countryside will not be tolerated. Our teams are always on hand to help advise where people should be safely disposing of any household or building waste.”

In 2017 alone, the Council has taken enforcement action against 62 people for waste related offences.

Information relating to the responsibilities around waste disposal can be found at environmentlaw.org.uk or by telephoning the Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Wardens on 01283 595968.

15 January 2018