Man fined for fly-tipping on Black Mountain

A SWANSEA man has been fined £500 for fly-tipping on the Black Mountain near Brynamman in the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Aled Wyn Thomas, aged 23, of Maes Llan, Llansamlet, was also ordered to pay £489.40 prosecution costs and a £50 victim surcharge by Carmarthen magistrates.

He pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The court heard that the council’s environmental enforcement section received information of fly-tipping on the Back Mountain in February this year.

The officers attended the scene and found general household rubbish in black and blue bags as well as two bikes, clothes and broken glass.

The rubbish was traced to a property in Glanamman and the householder informed the officers that he had arranged for the waste to be removed by a friend with a van.

During interview Thomas admitted removing the rubbish from the house and after being rejected by the tip at Abernant, he drove to the Black Mountain where he dumped it.

Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Fly-tipping is a criminal offence; it is a blight on our landscape, a threat to wildlife and it damages the environment.

“The Black Mountains give spectacular views over the Amman Valley and is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas in Carmarthenshire. I am appalled that someone could dump all this rubbish up there and I am pleased that they have been suitably punished for their recklessness.”

There were 1516 reported incidents of fly-tipping in Carmarthenshire in 2011/12, and probably a lot more that went unreported.

The council works with partners such as the police, the fire service and the Forestry Commission as part of Fly-tipping Action Wales to tackle the problem of fly-tipping and catch those responsible.