News from Peterborough City Council

 

A man who dumped a large pile of soil beside a city road has been fined £150 and ordered to pay £200 in costs.

 

A Peterborough City Council environmental enforcement officer spotted Francis Disney dumping soil from his garden - which is classed as controlled waste - on a grass verge in Hartwell Way, Westwood, Peterborough, in June 2007.

 

Peterborough Magistrates' Court was told Disney, formerly of Swanspool, Westwood, Peterborough, ignored several requests to remove the soil. As a result, he was prosecuted for an offence of fly-tipping under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

 

During a hearing on Thursday, Disney, who now lives in Misson, near Doncaster, pleaded guilty to the charge. As well as being fined and ordered to pay costs, he must also pay a victim surcharge of £15.

 

Peterborough City Council's environmental enforcement team leader Alison Ivatt said: "The city council will not hesitate to take action on reports of fly-tipping when they are witnessed, or evidence identifies a perpetrator.

 

"Nobody should have to put up with rubbish being dumped in the street, or near their homes. This case demonstrates that the courts support our positive stance on the issue. The defendant was given several opportunities to clear up the soil, but chose not to, so a prosecution was the only option."

 

To report an incident of fly-tipping, call the city council on 01733 747474.