Registered waste carrier fined for illegal fly-tipping in Bucks
A legal waste carrier, registered with the Environment Agency, has been fined in court for the illegal dumping of waste in Buckinghamshire.
Robert Jeal, 43, from Kenley in Surrey pleaded guilty to the offence of dumping waste illegally when he appeared at Wycombe Magistrates Court on 4 September 2024.
The court heard that on 1 June 2023, six sacks of rubble, broken tiling and other debris were illegally dumped on West Hyde Lane in Chalfont St Peter. At the time of the offence, a Buckinghamshire Council anti-fly-tipping camera was installed at the site. The footage captured a Ford Transit Tipper pulling into a lay-by off West Hyde Lane. The driver was then captured exiting the vehicle and illegally dumping waste into the lay-by.
The vehicle was traced to a Robert Jeal at a Surrey address. After further investigation, Buckinghamshire Council investigators discovered Mr Jeal was a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency (EA). This licence legally allows businesses to transport their own waste, waste from customers, and other people's waste. This was a considerable aggravating factor for the case. An investigative interview was conducted with Mr Jeal. After questioning Mr Jeal made admissions to fly-tipping the waste.
Magistrates fined Mr Jeal £1,846 and ordered him to pay clean-up and prosecution costs of £1,619. A victim surcharge of £738 was also imposed, making a total to pay of £4,203.
Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “This case firmly shows that no-one is above the law when it comes to fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire. As a registered waste-carrier, this offender should have known better, but their complete disregard for the law has caught up with them. As a result of this prosecution, the Environment Agency has been informed and Mr Jeal’s waste licence is now under review.”
Thomas continued: “We will not tolerate any form of fly-tipping in the county and will use all means at our disposal to catch and prosecute offenders. There is no excuse for fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire.”
To report fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street