Property owner landed with big fine for hiring man who fly-tipped waste

A MAN who paid someone to remove waste from his property and which was subsequently fly-tipped has been handed a fine worth hundreds of pounds.

Matrus Gudjan, from Eastwood, paid an unknown man £100 to remove the waste.

A Fixed Penalty Notice was initially issued to Gudjan, but it was not paid, leading to the case being heard at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court where he was ordered to pay £758.82.

An investigation began after Rotherham Council received information from a resident reporting suspected fly-tipping linked to a property in Eastwood.

Council teams attended the address on the same morning and carried out enquiries.

It was established that Gudjan had paid an unknown man £100 to remove waste from the property on the previous evening.

Residents are legally required to take reasonable steps to ensure anyone removing their waste is authorised to do so and failing to carry out these checks can result in prosecution if the waste is fly-tipped.

Cllr Sarah Allen, cabinet member for communities at Rotherham Council, said: “This case highlights the importance of checking that anyone you pay to remove your waste is properly licensed to do so.

“While it may seem like a quick and convenient solution, householders have a legal responsibility to make sure their waste is handled correctly.

“Where a waste collector is found to have fly-tipped waste, the council will take appropriate action. This can include fines up to £1,000 or prosecution, which can result in custodial sentences.

“The successful outcome in this case was made possible through information provided by local residents and the swift action of council officers.

“Working together helps us tackle environmental crime and protect our communities."

• Residents are encouraged to continue reporting fly-tipping and other environmental crime to the council. Information provided by the public helps officers investigate offences and take action against those responsible while keeping neighbourhoods safe. You can report fly-tipping at https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/fly-tipping-1