First jail term for fly-tipping
ASKELMERSDALE man has been jailed for 14 days for fly-tipping offences. This is the first prosecution by West Lancashire Borough Council which has led to someone being sent to prison for this type of offence.
Wigan Magistrates’ Court was told that a large amount of waste was found dumped on Elmers Green Lane at the side of Beacon Park Golf Course, Up Holland.
Within the waste was paint which ended up in a watercourse.
Council staff working in the area moved the rubbish quickly to minimise the pollution.
A van was captured on CCTV arriving at the site and leaving the area a short while later.
A member of the public also witnessed the van and reported it to the council.
The van was later discovered to have been hired by Ian Wilson at the time of the offence and further inquiries traced the waste back to where it originated from, which helped the council to track down Wilson, of Fairstead, Birch Green.
Wilson pleaded guilty to fly-tipping and failing to provide information within a specified period of time to allow the council to investigate the fly-tipping complaint.
Cllr Kevin Wright, portfolio holder for health and community safety, said: “Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and this strong action by the council and the courts illustrates how serious it is and those found guilty can face jail or unlimited fines.
“The council will continue to crack down on fly-tipping and litter to protect the local environment.”
If you think waste has been disposed of illegally then you can report this to the council on their website www.westlancs.gov.uk/ flytipping.
You can also report problems with litter or fly-tipping by calling 01695 577177 between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The council would also like to remind all householders and businesses that they need to make sure any waste that they have removed is disposed of legally.
Anyone removing waste as part of a business must have a waste carriers licence and give waste transfer notes to whomever they collect waste from.
Householders can check if anyone who removes waste from them has a waste carriers’ licence by contacting the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 or going on the website www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency.