Ledbury News

Man who dumped tyres is fined £500

11:00am Saturday 28th January 2012

A MAN who dumped 33 tyres on land between Dymock and Newent has been fined £500 by magistrates.

Daniel Powell, aged 25, of The Moat, Quedgeley, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to fly tipping when he appeared before magistrates in the city on Friday, January 20.

The court heard a lorry driver had witnessed Powell fly tip the tyres on land opposite the Hillview Field on the B4215 between Newent and Dymock on September 22 last year.

Magistrates were told it was Powell’s first criminal offence, he was very sorry for his actions, and it was not for commercial gain.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £250 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Matt Kirby, divisional environmental protection officer at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “The fly tipping of tyres is a particular problem in the Forest of Dean, due to the costs associated with their disposal.

“We take all fly tipping very seriously and will investigate every offence.

“We would encourage members of the public who witness fly tipping to write down details as well as a date and time and report it to us on 01594 810000 as soon as possible.”

Fly tippers can be punished with a fine of up to £50,000 in the magistrates’ court and unlimited fines or a prison sentence of up to five years in higher courts.

Coun Martin Quaile, responsible for environment at Forest of Dean District Council, said: “Fly tipping is illegal, causes a nuisance and blights our beautiful area.

“Clearing it up costs local authorities almost £74 million a year.

“This result sends a strong message to those individuals who decide to illegally dump waste – you will be caught and brought to justice.”

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