Two fined after rubbish dumped in Marston Moretaine and Harlington

Two people have been fined after concealing information about fly-tipping in Central Bedfordshire in in two separate cases.

One case followed reports of a fly-tip in December last year on a grassy area adjacent to Woburn Road in Marston Moretaine. The waste contained substantial glass panels bearing identifiable store markings.

During the investigation, it was discovered that work had been sub-contracted several times, and traced back to a company based in Markyate, Hertfordshire. A company director stated he had sub-contracted the work further and would take full responsibility if issued with a fixed penalty notice. The council requested further information about who he had sub-contracted to, but he refused to provide further information and failed to attend two scheduled interviews under caution.

On October 17 Martin Gregory, of Parkfield in Markyate, was prosecuted in his absence for a breach of Section 110 of the Environmental Act 1995. He received a fine of £3,000 and was directed to cover expenses amounting to £945, in addition to a victim surcharge of £384, making the total amount payable £4,329.

On the same day, another individual was prosecuted for the same offence. This followed the discovery of fly-tipped waste equivalent to the size of a van on private property at Sundon Road in Harlington. The Council's investigation traced the source to an address in Hemel Hempstead connected to a decorating contract. On two separate occasions, the individual failed to appear at requested interviews, failing to communicate with the investigating officer.

The court imposed a fine of £2,000, in addition to an order to contribute £659 towards the costs and a victim surcharge of £384, making the total amount payable £3,043.

Councillor Rebecca Hares, the Executive Member responsible for Health and Community Liaison, said: “In Central Bedfordshire, we maintain a strict zero-tolerance stance on fly-tipping. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure that those engaging in fly-tipping face legal consequences.

"Failure to properly dispose of your waste is simply not acceptable, and we will take action against anyone caught."

Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wants to report a fly-tip on council land, can visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/reportit, call 0300 300 8302 or email [email protected]. All reports of fly-tipping on private land should be reported to the landowner.