A man who collected waste on the premise of providing a waste removal service has received a fine of almost £1,800 and a criminal record after being caught fly-tipping on five separate occasions in locations throughout Buckinghamshire.
Daniel Morris, age 29, from Feltham, pleaded guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 29th June for the offences.
The court heard that between April 2021 and August 2021, waste was found to have been dumped in multiple places across Buckinghamshire, including at Weeden Hill in Aylesbury and at the side of the Amersham Road.
Morris actually collected the waste, charging people for the privilege of taking away their rubbish, and then dumped it – without permission - wherever he could.
He is said to have often opportunistically approached the occupiers of properties where he saw building works taking place to offer his waste disposal services. Victims of the offences also provided statements and photographs.
His actions caused significant inconvenience to the land-owners affected, who had to spend considerable amounts of money to clear the waste lawfully.
Morris was linked to the offences in several ways. In four of the instances, he gave his personal name and mobile number to the resident and used WhatsApp, allowing the witnesses to provide photos of Mr Morris to the council's Enforcement Team.
Mr Morris, who also drove a distinctive Ford Transit style caged silver tipper van, turned up to his interview under caution with the council, in the offending vehicle.
Buckinghamshire Council's Enforcement Team carries out regular surveillance at one of the locations Morris was targeting due to it being heavily blighted with fly-tipping.
On one of the occasions Morris' vehicle was captured at the location where roughly 15-20 fridges were dumped in a private gateway. The surveillance camera showed Morris' vehicle to be the only vehicle stopping in the gateway the night the dumping took place.
Morris pleaded guilty to all five charges. Magistrates fined him £250 and ordered him to pay clean-up costs of £1,500. A victim surcharge was also levied, making a total to pay of £1,784.
[PICTURE: Rubbish dumped at Weeden Hill]
Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: "This case highlights the dangers of paying an unlicensed waste carrier.
“You don't know how they are going to dispose of your waste and the chances are, they will do so unlawfully.
“Not only could your actions lead to you being prosecuted as well, by using rogue traders like this you could indirectly be allowing fly-tipping to happen in your community.
“The safest thing is always to use a reputable collector, check their details and never, ever pay them in cash. Our S.C.R.A.P. code gives you the tools you need to ensure that your waste is disposed of correctly."
To report fly-tipping visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fixmystreet
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