Man fined for fly-tipping at recycling site

A GWENDRAETH Valley man has been fined after being caught fly-tipping on CCTV.

Moham Singh Sura, aged 55, of Mynyddcerrig, Pontyberem, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 at Ammanford Magistrates Court.

The prosecution was brought by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The court heard that on November 22 last year the council received a complaint that an old mattress and metal from an exercise bike had been dumped in the car park opposite Tumble Hall next to the recycling bins.

The hall is run by Llannon Community Council and a CCTV system has been installed that monitors the area. The council’s environmental enforcement officers conducted inquiries at the hall and viewed the CCTV footage. It showed a car pull up at the site and the occupant get out and deposit the waste.

Enquiries revealed the owner of the vehicle was Sura and a letter and statutory notice was sent which required him to notify the local authority on who had been driving the car. He responded and stated he had been the user of the car at the time of the offence. He was invited to attend for interview, however no response was received.

Sura was fined £150 and ordered to pay £100 towards prosecution costs. Magistrates said the level of fine and costs was determined by his limited financial position.

Unfortunately fly-tipping is becoming an increasing problem at bring sites across the county and the council hopes that this latest fine will act as a warning to others that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Director of Technical Services Richard Workman said: “We are very disappointed that the bring sites are being misused in this way as they are important facilities for communities.

“We want to encourage people to recycle as much of their waste as possible, however, people are dumping all types of waste at the sites. We do not want to fine people but this is fly-tipping and we will not hesitate to prosecute those that break the law in this way.”

Environmental enforcement officers regularly patrol the county. More serious offences could result in fines of up to £50,000 and/or up to five years in prison.

Executive board member for the environment Councillor Philip Hughes said: “Fly-tipping not only spoils our quality of life and enjoyment of the environment but it can cause serious pollution of the environment and harm to human health as well to wildlife and farm animals.

“The council is committed to tackling fly-tipping and is serious about punishing people who flout the law.”