On 20th September 2023 at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, landlord, Mr Andrew Jones of Chapel Orchard, Abergavenny, was found guilty of 25 various waste offences relating to 5 incidents of fly-tipping across the borough.
This included knowingly causing controlled waste to be deposited from a motor vehicle, failure to prevent unauthorised deposit of controlled waste, falling to prevent escape of waste in his control, knowingly depositing controlled waste and failing in his duty to ensure a written description of waste was transferred when waste was exchanged. He was fined a total of £10,000 with a compensation payment of £780 a victim surcharge of £190 and £1503.11 costs awarded to the Authority, a total of £12,473.11.
The defendant has lodged an appeal with the Courts against this conviction.
Blaenau Gwent Council is continuing to be tough on fly-tippers, issuing 120 offenders with a total of £48,000 of fixed penalty notices since October 2022.
13 more cases are also being pursued through court for offences including fly tipping, allowing the escape of waste from a vehicle and failing to comply with a commercial duty of care.
Over 104 fly-tipping offences have been captured using dedicated CCTV surveillance equipment since October 2022.
Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member for Place & Environment, Councillor Helen Cunningham, says:
‘Fly-tipping is a crime and where we can secure evidence, we will always pursue a prosecution in court or issue a Fixed Penalty Notice for those responsible. We take this issue extremely seriously, there is no excuse for illegally dumping waste, and we will continue to have a zero-tolerance approach.
We are pleased- in this case that the Court has dealt with Mr Jones and the fine and costs of over £12,000 sends a clear message to individuals and businesses that they have to operate legally when managing the disposal of waste or face the consequences. This prosecution sends out a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Blaenau Gwent’.