Residents are being reminded to use registered waste carriers after a Peterborough man was given an extended court order for operating a waste business illegally.
Mark Wheeler of Lakeview Way, Hampton, Peterborough, was sentenced by magistrates recently following a prosecution by officers from Peterborough City Council’s Safer Communities team.
Wheeler (36) was previously served with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and 16-week suspended prison sentence in June 2025 after being found guilty of breaching the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act for repeatedly carrying out car repairs on the highway and causing anti-social behaviour towards his neighbours.
Wheeler was then found guilty of breaching his CBO by carrying out further car repairs. During the hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on March 26, council officers produced additional evidence that Wheeler was operating a waste collection/disposal business illegally, by failing to provide waste transfer documents.
Officers requested that magistrates increase the conditions of Wheeler’s CBO to include prohibitions preventing him from operating any business or trade which deals in the collection, carrying, or disposal of waste or scrap metal without permission from Peterborough City Council. They also requested that Wheeler be prevented from advertising or promoting services for the collection, carrying, or disposal of waste or scrap metal.
At a recent sentencing hearing, magistrates agreed to add the conditions to Wheeler’s CBO as requested by officers. He was also sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for breaches of a suspended sentence.
Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We want to remind residents to always check that a waste carrier is licenced before hiring anyone to dispose of your waste. This includes companies that provide skips, waste collectors and tradespeople doing work at your property. There is plenty of advice on our website and our officers are always happy to offer guidance.
"This prosecution shows that we take this issue extremely seriously and will look to take action against anyone operating illegally. Don't forget that there are several ways to get rid of waste legally, such as by visiting the Household Recycling Centre in Fengate, using a licensed waste company or our bulky waste collection service.”
Residents can help prevent fly tipping by ensuring that they use registered waste carriers to collect and dispose of their waste - if your waste is found fly-tipped, you could be fined or prosecuted.
For more information and how to find registered waste carriers locally visit the council’s website.