Taxi driver caught fly-tipping from cab

Manir Ali, (47), of Shawsfield Road, Moorgate, was spotted dumping 13 black bin bags full of garden waste by two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Ali admitted the offence, which occurred on June 24 at Back Lane, Rawmarsh, when he appeared at Rotherham Magistrates’ Court last Friday.

He was ordered to pay an £800 fine, costs of £675 and a victim surcharge of £80. 

Ali was spotted by PCSOs Claire Ryan and Alison Phelan removing bin bags from his parked taxi and throwing them over a hedge.

Thirteen bags had been dumped and two more were in Ali’s vehicle.

Council environmental health officers were called to the scene and questioned Ali who told them he had intended to take the rubbish to Car Hill recycling centre, but when he had found it was closed he did not know what to do.

He said he had seen other rubbish on Back Lane and decided to dump his there as well.

Ali was shown a photograph of the sign on the gates at Car Hill tip which stated that the tip was closed and he should go to the Warren Vale site instead.

Ali denied seeing this sign, apologised for the offence and admitted to fly tipping, but failed to attend four court hearings and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He finally surrendered last Friday (May 13) and was ordered to pay £1,555 in total.

There was no separate penalty for failing to surrender to court because he was on summons.

Police and council officials pledged to keep cracking down of fly-tipping.

Damien Wilson, Rotherham Borough Council's strategic director for regeneration and environment, said: “I hope this successful prosecution sends a strong message to people that if they are caught, then they will be taken to court and face a hefty fine.”

The council said the cost of clearing up after fly-tippers is around £87,600 each year with the cost of removal coming out of the street cleaning budget. 

Information and opening hours for Rotherham’s four household waste recycling centres can be found at www.rotherham.gov.uk/bins and fly-tipping reportedat www.rotherham.gov.uk/report or on 01709 336003.

Opening times at all four centres are:

April 1 to September 30 – 10am to 6.30pm

October 1 to March 31 – 10am to 4pm

Each centre is closed one day each week:

Magilla (North Anston) is closed Tuesdays

Car Hill (Greasbrough) is closed Wednesdays

Warren Vale (Rawmarsh) is closed Thursdays

Lidget Lane (Bramley) is closed Fridays