Man fined for flytipping waste for others

A MAN who took money to dump waste on behalf of others has been fined over £1300 for flytipping.

Charles Sutcliffe, of Southfield Close, Dukinfield, pleaded guilty at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on Monday 9 May 2022 to four offences of flytipping.

On 7 March 2021, he dumped a sofa on June Street, Ashton. A week later on 14 March 2021, he dumped a single bed and builders’ waste on the same site.

On 15 May 2021 he flytipped a gaming chair on Bennett Street, Newton, Hyde and then on 12 August 2021 he dumped more building waste on June Street in Ashton.

The court heard Mr Sutcliffe was using his recently deceased’s wife’s mobility vehicle to dump the waste and that he had carried out the offences to try to pay off debts.

Tameside Council enforcement officers investigated the case after receiving information from members of the local community.

Magistrates ordered him to pay a total £1,365.54, comprising of  a fine of £320, a victim surcharge £34 and Tameside Council’s clean up costs £1,011.54. 

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to see this successful result in court and would like to thank the members of the public who passed on information about the offence to us so we could investigate. There is no excuse for flytipping. Flytipping is illegal, unacceptable and disrespectful to the local community and environment. We have officers out every day investigating flytipping and will always take action against the offenders where we find sufficient evidence.

“If waste is flytipped, by you or by someone else on your behalf, you could face an unlimited fine and a criminal record. It is a legal requirement that householders check their waste is being disposed of legally and responsibly and they should beware of ‘man in a van’ type services often seen on social media which may not be registered and responsible waste carriers.

“If you are asking a third party e.g. a builder or contractor to dispose of waste on your behalf, you should ensure they are a registered waste carrier. You are responsible for checking they are registered, so always ask to see their certificate. Always get a receipt confirming what they have taken and where they have disposed of it and details of any payment made.  Details of registered waste carriers can be found on the Environment Agency public register.”

To find out more about how the council tackles flytippng and how to report flytipping and/or suspected offenders see www.tameside.gov.uk/flytipping.