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Glen Dobson, of Victoria Street, Rochester, wanted for flytipping offences on a site owned by Southern Water in Ash Tree Lane, Chatham

A flytipper is wanted for his involvement in the dumping and burning of more than 30 tonnes of rubbish on privately owned land.

There is a warrant out for the arrest of Glen Dobson of Victoria Street, Rochester, who committed flytipping offences on a site in Ash Tree Lane, Chatham five years ago.

Despite the efforts of the local authority to bring him to book, Dobson left the area shortly after the council began investigating his case.

Dobson unlawfully lived on land owned by Southern Water where tonnes of rubbish was dumped
Dobson unlawfully lived on land owned by Southern Water where tonnes of rubbish was dumped

Throughout 2009, Dobson unlawfully lived on land owned by Southern Water and tonnes of rubbish, including tyres, fridges and general waste, were dumped there and burned over a nine-month period. He had no permit to carry out this type of waste operation.

Dobson changed the locks on the entrance gate so only he could enter, despite the land not being deemed safe for public access.

In November 2009, Medway Council received complaints of a burning smell, described by a resident as “constant burning on the site - smoke smells like burning rubber.”

Enforcement officers attended the site shortly after to investigate and take photos.

Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue Service were also called to reports of several fires on the land.

Council officers were called to reports of burning waste
Council officers were called to reports of burning waste

In early December 2009, council officers returned after reports of burning waste and they discovered several people on the site and a large fire in a skip.

Following the find, the police were called and seven men were arrested – Dobson was interviewed by council officers on the same day and was bailed to return at a later date. He claimed he was the night watchman for the site, and not the person dumping the rubbish.

He returned for a second interview in January 2010, during which he confirmed he was the key holder for the site and admitted burning rubbish onsite.

After interview however, Dobson disappeared from the area.

A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2011, but as he could not be found the warrant was dropped.

"By not making his whereabouts known to the local authority he has made matters worse for himself" - Cllr Peter Hicks

In 2013 Dobson resurfaced in Medway and therefore the case reopened and another warrant for arrest was put in place.

The case was heard in his absence at Medway Magistrates’ Court on December 5, and he was found guilty of flytipping offences.

Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail and once Dobson is found, sentencing will take place.

Cllr Peter Hicks, in charge of community safety, said: “This individual has been found guilty and as soon as he is found he will be put in a prison cell until sentencing. By not making his whereabouts known to the local authority he has made matters worse for himself.

”Fly-tipping is unacceptable and will always be taken very seriously.”

In a separate case, Nicolae Gheorge, 37, of Marlborough Road, Gillingham was found guilty of three fly tip offences and three duty of care waste-related offences at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Gheorge flytipped waste in Homewards Road, Allhallows
Gheorge flytipped waste in Homewards Road, Allhallows

It follows complaints dating back to 2012 about Gheorge storing scrap metal in a garden of a house where he was a tenant.

Gheorge also fly-tipped waste at Homewards Road, Allhallows. An investigation by Medway Council led officers to Gheorge after tonnes of construction material waste was dumped on a public right of way.

For each of the six charges Gheorge was sentenced to 250 hours community service, totalling 1,500 hours to run concurrently. He was also ordered to pay Medway Council costs totalling £2,000.

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