A man from Gerrards Cross has learned the hard way that crime doesn't pay after being caught fly-tipping and faced with a hefty fine.
Jonathas Da Rocha Souza, aged 45, pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal dumping when he appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates Court on 7 June 2023.
The court was informed that on 12 May 2022, an enforcement officer working for Buckinghamshire Council, discovered a pile of illegally dumped waste in a lay-by on Layters Green Lane, Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire. After further investigation, the source of the waste was identified and the suspected person responsible was reported to the local authority. Mr Souza was later interviewed by Council Enforcement Officers. During the interview, Mr Souza confessed to accepting £30 to remove the waste which he later illegally dumped.
Magistrates fined Mr Souza £1,384 and ordered him to pay clean-up and prosecution costs of £1,010.62. A victim surcharge of £138 was also levied – making a total to pay of £2,532.62.
Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: "This criminal ended up seriously out of pocket when he made the mistake of fly-tipping. Buckinghamshire Council's stance on fly-tipping is crystal clear; it is illegal and will be met with consequences. We refuse to let illegal dumping harm our beautiful county and will seek to prosecute anyone who breaks the law in this way, whenever possible."
If you spot fly-tipping anywhere in Buckinghamshire, report it online: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street
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