Householders warned of the perils of not hiring a registered waste collector
One Bucks resident has learned the hard way not to risk hiring a non-registered waste collector and paying in cash for them to dispose of their rubbish, after being fined by Buckinghamshire Council.
The Denham resident received a fixed penalty notice after rubbish dumped illegally was traced back to their property.
The warning comes following the sentencing of Harry Stubbings of Priory Gardens, Harefield. On Wednesday 9th February 2022, Stubbings pleaded guilty in court to two counts of illegal dumping in Denham.
The offences took place on 9th and 19th September 2021. Stubbings, 26, dumped the first load comprising floor tiles and builders waste on the grass verge and footpath of Tilehouse Lane in Denham. The second incident was also on Tilehouse Lane but this time in a private driveway.
The first load was predominantly floor tiles and other builders waste which was dumped on the grass verge and footpath of Tilehouse lane and the second, was also on Tilehouse Lane, but in a private driveway.
A member of the public saw Stubbing adjusting the load a short distance from the location where he dumped the second load. She reported the incident to the Council via the Fix My Street online form.
Whilst clearing the second load, Buckinghamshire Council Enforcement Team officers found evidence linking the waste to an address in Denham and also a vehicle.
With the help of Thames Valley Police, the Enforcement Team began an investigation which led to Stubbings being identified as the offender. He was interviewed and stated that his boss had given him cash to dispose of the waste legally, but he had gambled this on fruit machines, so saw no other option than to dump it. He also said that he took cash payment from the Denham resident to take their waste away.
Stubbings received a 200-hour community service order to be completed in 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £2,266.66 in investigation and clearance costs. In sentencing Stubbings, magistrates indicated that due to the circumstances of the two incidents he was close to being given a custodial sentence.
The resident from Denham, who failed in their duty of care in checking if Stubbings was a waste carrier, paid a £300 Fixed Penalty, (reduced from £400 as it was paid within 14 days).
Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said:
“This case highlights the importance of householders checking that waste collectors are properly registered. It also shows that the Council, along with our partners will follow up any suspicious incidents to detect this illegal activity.
“I wish to thank the member of the public who reported the incident to us and I would urge others to do the same on Fix My Street.
"I would also warn householders, don't be tempted to pay cash for someone to take your rubbish away, it is always safer to pay online. A registered waste carrier will take online payment and you can check their credentials before agreeing the deal. Cash may seem like the easy option but it is always better to be safe than sorry and pay online.”
The fly-tipping dumped in Denham in September 2021.