Fly-tipping fine welcomed

Kieran Hills, of Lime Crescent, Hartlepool, was found guilty in his absence by Teesside Magistrates and fined £1,760 along with a £170 victim surcharge and costs – a total of £2,408.

The prosecution was brought by Hartlepool Borough Council under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act after it received a complaint about rubbish being fly-tipped at the rear of Lime Crescent.

Fly-tipped rubbish at the rear of Lime Crescent

A Civil Enforcement Officer inspected the area and found evidence of who the rubbish belonged to, leading to court action.

Although Mr Hills failed to attend court, the Magistrates chose to hear the case in his absence and, having seen the Council’s evidence, found him guilty.

Philip Hepburn, the Council’s Community Safety Operations Manager, said “We are pleased to see the Magistrates Courts recognise fly-tipping as a serious offence and for them to issue a substantial fine.

“Both Council staff and the general public work hard to try and keep the town clean and tidy and it is clearly wrong that some individuals think it is okay to simply dump their rubbish and expect others to clear it up. Where it can, the Council will not hesitate to punish those found responsible.”

Anyone who has evidence of a fly-tipper operating in Hartlepool is urged to contact the Hartlepool Community Safety Team on (01429) 523100 or to report it via the Council’s website at online.hartlepool.gov.uk