Man fined for dumping waste near people’s homes

Yan Dominic Hall was paid £180 to take away waste from a man’s home in Whitley Bay on two occasions in January this year.

It came after the customer posted on Facebook asking if anyone knew of somebody who could remove their waste.

Hall, 21, responded to the post and falsely claimed he was “a man with a van who is fully licensed for tip run”.

But instead of disposing of the haul responsibly, unlicensed Hall dumped it on land off Blucher Terrace in Blucher.

Two bar stools, black foam matting, a wooden unit, a stainless-steel kitchen bin and shelving were among the waste found.

Newcastle City Council’s environmental protection team tracked Hall down after discovering the haul belonged to his customer.

Hall, of St Marks Court, Westerhope, pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste on land without the authority of an environmental permit.

He was given credit for his early guilty plea, fined £320, ordered to pay £1,349 in investigation, prosecution and clean-up costs and a £128 victim surcharge at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on June 2.

After the case, Cllr Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council Cabinet member for a Dynamic City, said: “This is another excellent result for our diligent officers and once again it shows people will be punished for illegally dumping waste.

“In this case the offender approached the customer on social media and blatantly lied about having the required permit to carry out the work.

“I would like to remind people that they should never let someone take their waste away until they have proved they are legitimate.

“This can be done by checking they are registered with the Environment Agency and making sure they provide a waste transfer note or receipt for the items removed. Please do not use social media to find people to take waste away.”

To report an incident of fly-tipping, you can the Council on 0191 278 7878 and ask for environmental health or email psr@newcastle.gov.uk.

For more information about disposing waste correctly, visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/environment-and-waste/rubbish-and-recycling.