Man pleads guilty to dumping 35 bags of household waste in Arnison Avenue, High Wycombe

The waste dumped in Arnison Avenue, High Wycombe.

On Wednesday 3rd April 2019 a man pleaded guilty at Wycombe Magistrates court to fly tipping waste in Arnison Avenue, High Wycombe.

The 28 year old man of Desborough Road, High Wycombe pleaded guilty at Wycombe Magistrates court to fly tipping on a grass area in Arnison Avenue, High Wycombe on or before Monday 15th October 2018.

The court heard that the 28 year old man had collected approximately thirty five black bags of household waste (pictured above) from a house in High Wycombe for payment. He had then dumped the items on a public grass area, apparently because he was having problems with his van.

When the waste was reported it was found to contain mixed household waste including old toys and Christmas decorations as well as rotting food and soiled disposable nappies. The waste was dumped in a residential area where it could easily be accessed by children.

On investigation, a Waste Partnership officer found evidence within the rubbish that led him to the residential address where it had originated. The householder, however, had fully complied with their duty of care to dispose of rubbish properly as detailed in the SCRAP Fly Tipping code. They were able to give the investigator full details of the transaction including the identity of the 28 year old man and the registration of his vehicle.

The Magistrates fined the 28 year old man £320 and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £600 as well as a victim surcharge of £32 making a total to pay of £952. However the 28 year old man was permitted to make the payment in instalments.

Wycombe District Council Cabinet Member for Environment Julia Adey, speaking on behalf of the Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire, said: ‘This case shows that fly tipping doesn’t only afflict the countryside, with the additional hazard that children are more likely to access waste dumped in a residential area.

This is also an excellent example of someone who took the duty of care for disposing of their waste seriously. Having full paperwork meant that legal responsibility for the fly tipping transferred from the householder onto the person who took the waste away.‘

Further information on what is required to fulfil the duty of care, check the SCRAP Fly Tipping code at www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/flytip.

Illegal dumping in Buckinghamshire can be reported at www.fixmystreet.buckscc.gov.uk.