Woman fined over £2k for twice dumping piles of waste in her own street

A WOMAN has been ordered to pay over £2200 for twice dumping piles of waste in the street where she lives.

Tameside Magistrate’s Court heard that council waste enforcement officers investigated two incidents of flytipping on Corporation Road, Audenshaw, one on 27 April 2023 and another 22 August 2023.

On both occasions the dumped waste – which included chairs, mattresses and bags of rubbish - were traced back to Lisa Bowler, a resident of Corporation Road. Ms Bowler was offered the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for the two offences, however she ignored all correspondence and the fine was not paid.

Ms Bowler attended a plea hearing at court on 22 April 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the offence, stating that she has a person who removes waste for her. However, Ms Bowler did not produce any evidence that waste had been passed to an authorised waste carrier. 

The matter was adjourned and trial arranged to take place on 21 January 2025. However Ms Bowler did not turn up to court and magistrates heard the matter in her absence. 

They found her guilty of flytipping and ordered her to pay a £1,100 fine, £440 victim surcharge and £665.68 costs.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods Cllr Laura Boyle said: “This is yet another great result from court and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate flytipping and we will always take action where we find evidence. Flytipping is our blight on our communities, ruining the appearance of local neighbourhoods and costing the council and local tax payers thousands of pounds to clear up every year.

“We all have a responsibility to look after our streets and to dump your waste in the street like this is inexcusable.

“I would also like to remind people that if you do use or pay someone to take away your waste, you must ensure they are a licensed waste carrier, ask where they are taking your waste to and get a receipt.”

For further information on reporting flytipping and providing evidence see www.tameside.gov.uk/flytipping