Town takeaway owner is prosecuted for fly-tipping
THE owner of a takeaway in Merthyr Tydfil has been prosecuted for fly-tipping.
Jin Min Liu, the owner of the Golden Valley Cantonese Takeaway in Pontmorlais, was ordered to pay costs and court charges to the total of £2,609.97, for five offences of unlawfully depositing waste.
At the end of January, following a significant increase of fly-tipping in the town, particularly on Tramroadside North, visits were made to the area by the council’s environmental health officer and trade waste and recycling officer.
All businesses in the area, including Golden Valley Takeaway, were spoken to in order to ensure they were provided with adequate waste disposal facilities.
In February, further complaints were received of excess waste dumped to the rear of 74 Pontmorlais, which led to the council’s waste and recycling officers visiting the area again.
The waste was examined and material linked to The Golden Valley takeaway was discovered, despite the owner being offered support by the council to ensure he had what he needed to dispose of his waste correctly.
In addition through the use of covert cameras installed by the council, staff from The Golden Valley were seen dumping bags of waste and returning empty-handed.
Not only was the waste that was being illegally dumped unsightly, but, as the waste often contained food, it resulted in a rat infestation within the area which the council was forced to resolve at public expense.
A Merthyr council spokesperson said: “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council is committed to punishing flytippers who show blatant disregard to our community. We have a zero tolerance approach to this crime.
“Residents shouldn’t put up with fly-tipping in their own communities and I would urge those who witness these incidents to get in touch and help us stamp it out.
“The council is continually clearing up fly-tipped waste throughout the county borough.
“Please be assured the council is using all means available to detect and prosecute those responsible.
“However we can’t tackle this alone, so we’re asking all residents to be vigilant and report any act of fly-tipping by calling 01685 725000 or via the website at www.merthyr. gov.uk/resident/bins-recycling/fly-tipping