The waste dumped by Mr Whittaker
Court successes to the tune of almost £3,000
Two fly-tippers have been ordered to pay almost £3,000 after a thorough and successful investigation by Test Valley Borough Council.
On Friday, October 16, both Richard Whittaker and Adam Whitcher pleaded guilty to illegally dumping their waste in two separate incidents that took place around Romsey.
During lockdown, officers from the council’s environmental service and legal service continued to investigate cases of fly-tippers and had enough evidence to take both defendants to court.
Mr Whittaker, of North Baddesley, admitted fly-tipping wood from a guinea pig hutch in a layby along Lee Lane on 17 April 2019. He was also prosecuted for failing to produce his waste carrier licence when asked to do so by the council.
At Southampton Magistrates Court, he was fined £750 for the fly-tipping offence and failing to produce his carrier licence, ordered to pay £961 in costs and a £75 victim surcharge.
Mr Whitcher, of Totton, admitted to fly-tipping after concrete blocks were thrown out of his car window along Toothill Road when he was driving to the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Romsey in August last year.
He was fined £500, ordered to pay £1,126.70 in costs and £65 in compensation.
Environmental portfolio holder, councillor Alison Johnston, said: “Fly-tipping is incredibly lazy and very selfish. What makes these cases even more so, is that everyone was doing their best to during a difficult few months, and for others to feel it’s okay to simply throw their rubbish away with no consequences, is horrendous.
“My sincere thanks go to the environmental service officers who continued to work hard during the pandemic to investigate these cases, and for the legal officers who secured the right result in court. I’m also very grateful for those residents who tried their absolute best to find alternative ways of utilising their waste during the pandemic, whether it’s composting, or just trying to throw away as little as possible.
“Fly-tipping will never be acceptable, and in Test Valley, we will search until we have enough evidence to prosecute. If you have any concerns, please contact us on 01794 527700 or 01264 368000, and remember, always ask to see a waste carrier’s licence – as your waste is your responsibility.”