Businessman prosecuted after dumping 147 bin bags of household waste

A West Lancashire businessman has been ordered to do 100 hours community service after dumping 147 bin bags of household waste in Newburgh.

Wigan County Court heard that the bags were found in a ditch at the side of Cobbs Brow Lane. This was one of the biggest amounts of flytipped waste West Lancashire Borough Council has ever had to deal with.

Following a lengthy investigation by Council officers, the waste was traced back to Sean Ward, of Riding Close, Haskayne.

Evidence given to the court stated that Mr Ward had moved this waste from a property in the Liverpool area and had been paid for this work. He claimed during an interview with Council officers that he had had vehicle problems and took the waste out with the intention of returning for it at a later point, something which he did not do.

Mr Ward pleaded guilty to flytipping and as well as being ordered to do 100 hours community service he was also told to pay £1,223.10 in costs.

Dave Tilleray, who heads up the Environmental Enforcement Team, said: “The Council is continuing to work hard to tackle fly-tipping and this case sends a strong message to all those thinking of illegally dumping waste in West Lancashire.

“Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence with unlimited fines for individuals and businesses found guilty of offences. As can be seen with this case, guilty parties can face other penalties. For example, they could be sent to prison.”

If you think waste has been disposed of illegally then you can report this to the Council 24 hours a day on our website www.westlancs.gov.uk/flytipping. Or you can call 01695 577177 between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

The Council would also like to remind all householders that they need to make sure any waste that they have removed is disposed of legally. Anyone removing waste as part of a business must have a waste carriers licence and give waste transfer notes to whomever they take waste from. Householders can check if anyone who removes waste from them has a waste carriers’ licence by contacting the Environment Agency on 03708 506506 or going on their website www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency.