A man has been successfully prosecuted for dumping commercial waste.

Tony Waters, from West Kingsdown, appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court after he was caught dumping commercial waste at the Eynsford Recycling Centre in May 2018.

Waters, 46, from Celia Road, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay £260 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge totalling £280.

He was also given a two-year conditional discharge and was told to expect a more severe penalty if he was caught again.

Waters was originally due at court on July 5 but failed to turn up. He was subsequently arrested by Kent Police at his home on July 31 and bailed until the rearranged court hearing on August 9.

The prosecution was brought by the Sevenoaks District Council’s fly-tipping enforcement team.

Waters was caught unloading his van on a camera located in the Eynsford Recycling Centre despite signs warning people that Sevenoaks District Council had CCTV in the area and that fly tipping was an offence.

The Council found Waters had regularly advertised his business on Facebook even though he did not have a Waste Carrier’s Licence from the Environment Agency.

The commercial waste was traced back to a company based in Sidcup that hired Waters after seeing his advert on Facebook. However, the business failed to check that he had a Waste Carrier’s Licence and was given a £300 fixed penalty notice from the council.

Cllr Margot McArthur, the council’s cabinet member "for cleaner and greener", said: “Waters may have thought he was above the law by illegally fly tipping and refusing to attend court. But we do not give up that easily and with the help of Kent Police, we made sure Waters faced justice for his crime.

“This case shows that everyone has a duty of care when disposing of their waste. It’s advisable to check if the individual or business taking your rubbish has a valid Waste Carrier’s Licence, otherwise you too could face a fine.”

Residents can check if someone has a Waste Carrier’s licence on the Environment Agency’s website.

Sevenoaks District Council provides a waste collection service for large items. Residents should call 01732 227000 for details.

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