Man ordered to pay more than £1,000 for flytipping

A Maidstone man whose rubbish was found dumped on two different occasions in Whitstable Road, Herne Bay, has been found guilty of an offence in his absence and ordered to pay a total of £1,116.

Alexandru Sava, 35, of Scott Street, Maidstone, failed to attend the hearing at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday 10 June.

The court was told that two separate flytipping incidents occurred in Whitstable Road between 31 May 2023 and 22 June 2023.

City council Environmental Crime Officers began investigations and evidence was found linking both of the flytips to Sava.

But, despite efforts by officers, he ignored all requests to help with enquiries.

The case proceeded to court and when Sava initially pleaded not guilty by post, the matter was listed for trial.

The trial went ahead in his absence and the District Judge found him guilty of the offences under section 110(2)(a) Environment Act 1995.

Sava was fined £440, with a surcharge of £176 and the costs of the council’s prosecution of £500 – a total of £1,116.

Canterbury City Council’s Director of People and Place, Suzi Wakeham, said: “We take flytipping in our district incredibly seriously and will vigorously pursue offenders wherever we can.

“The public has its role to play too. If you arrange for someone to take your rubbish away, please check they are a licensed waste carrier by looking at the Environment Agency’s website and make sure you ask for a receipt that includes the company’s details.

“Failure to do so could open you up to a fine if your rubbish is found somewhere it shouldn’t be.”

Published: 19 June 2024