Great Yarmouth man prosecuted for fly-tipping green waste

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a man for fly-tipping green waste – and the council continues to appeal for public information to tackle those who blight the environment.

Sean Gillings, aged 33, of Falklands Way, Bradwell, pleaded guilty recently at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court to fly-tipping tree waste, in Jews Lane, Bradwell. The offence took place on August 23, 2015. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £250 costs, plus a £15 victim surcharge.

The borough council said it always seeks to prosecute fly-tippers and then name and shame those convicted to support its Environmental Rangers' work to educate people about disposing of waste responsibly – and the potential consequences of breaking the law.

Cllr Carl Smith, the cabinet member for the environment, said: 'Fly-tipping is a UK-wide issue, but Great Yarmouth has a zero-tolerance approach to tackling fly-tipping and, as this case proves, will prosecute where there is sufficient evidence.

'Dumped waste makes an area look ugly, pollutes land and waterways. And it is completely unjustified when there are so many facilities to enable the appropriate disposal of waste.

'In relation to green waste, householders can sign up to the borough council's brown wheelie bin fortnightly kerbside collection scheme, or to the garden waste bag collection service, which is aimed at residents with smaller gardens. Alternatively, household and green waste can be taken, free of charge, to Caister's household recycling centre.'

The Environmental Rangers use several methods to catch offenders, including targeted patrols, but continue to appeal for intelligence from the public to help target the right areas or individuals. Photographs of the incident or offender(s) are not essential.

nAnyone who witnesses an environmental crime in the borough or has information that may help to identify an offender should contact the Environmental Rangers on 01493 846478 and provide as much information as possible, such as the location and time of offence, what occurred, the description or address of the offender(s), and the registration number of any vehicle involved. All approaches will be treated in confidence.