We have an absolute duty to look after our countryside
Councillor calls for harsher punishments for fly-tippers
A local councillor yesterday called for harsher penalties on fly-tippers – even impounding their vehicles – in a bid to crack down on a mounting problem that increasingly blights many parts of the Perthshire countryside.
Frank Smith, the newlyelected representative for Almond and Earn on Perth and Kinross Council, was speaking after a man was fined £1500 for flagrantly flouting the 1990 Environmental Protection Act.
Perth Sheriff Court was told last week that 12 tonnes of soil and assorted garden waste were seen being dumped on a country estate near Perth – and the witness was then offered £450 to “turn a blind eye.”
But the public-spirited man refused – and instead took photographs of the person guiding the lorry driver, as well as the vehicle, which had Matthew Bros emblazoned on the side.
Ironically, the firm, which has been trading on Kirkcaldy’s Hayfield Industrial Estate for over 25 years, is a member of the Fife Trusted Traders’ Scheme.
Twenty-eight-yearold Grant Matthew admitted depositing the “controlled waste” on land at the access road leading to Sandyknowes Cottage, near its junction with Rhynd Road, just outside Bridge of Earn, on August 19, 2020,
Frank Smith
the offence “deserves” was important. But he then asked: “Was this fine enough? Not in my opinion.
“Taking away the means of how they committed this offence – i.e. their vehicle and making them pay for the clean-up – would obviously deter a repeat of this offence.
“Let’s hope new legislation helps stop these individuals spoiling the countryside we all want to enjoy.”
Depute fiscal David Currie told the court that a man was driving along a country lane which leads to Rhynd Road, part of the Moncrieff Estate, about 2pm on August 19.
“He saw a dumper truck depositing a full load of soil and what appeared to be lumps of tarmac, onto the lane.”
There was another man driving the lorry and he was being guided by the accused.
The accused was challenged as to why the load was being deposited on the lane.
The fiscal added: “The accused offered the male (the witness) £450 to ‘turn a blind eye.’
“The male refused and took photos of both the lorry and the accused.”
The accused got into the lorry, which had ‘Matthew Bros’ livery on it, and the vehicle drove away.
The fiscal added: “The witness found a phone number for the company and phoned later that day and spoke with the accused.
“The witness asked for the soil to be removed but the accused refused.
“The witness reported the matter to the police.”
Matthew, of Valley Gardens, Kirkcaldy, was traced by officers two days later, on August 21, cautioned and charged but made no reply.
Approximately 12 tonnes of soil had been dumped and it was subsequently removed by a local farmer and spread on a field.
“The farmer did not charge the estate owner for doing so,” stated Mr Currie.
The maximum sentence that could have been imposed under the summary complaint is six months’ imprisonment or a fine of £40,000, or both.
Councillor David Illingworth, who also represents the Almond and Earn area, said yesterday: “It’s great to see a conviction for fly-tipping in Perth and Kinross.
“Mr Matthew couldn’t even be bothered to turn up for sentencing, so a £1,500 fine will be a stiff reminder to him and other fly-tippers that people are fed up with their disgusting behaviour which is blighting the countryside.”
Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the Perthshire
South and Kinross-shire constituency, said: “It is good to see the courts taking a firm stand on this crime.
“The accused had obviously travelled to Rhynd Road, near Bridge of Earn, to dump 12 tonnes of soil, which is absolutely ridiculous.
“Taking action on flytipping is one of my key election pledges and I hope this fine acts as a warning to others who are contemplating the abhorrent practice of fly-tipping.
“I know many residents, like me, are sick of acts of fly-tipping. We need new legislation to allow councils to prosecute offenders quickly.”