Home   Sittingbourne   News   Article

Fly-tipper receives hefty fine for dumping rubbish in Kingsdown near Lynsted

A man is more than £1,600 out of pocket after being prosecuted for fly-tipping.

Officers from Swale council traced the waste dumped in Sawpit Road near Kingsdown back to a homeowner in Sittingbourne.

They confirmed that Sam Geary, a Maidstone man, had removed the rubbish.

Fly-tipped rubbish in Sawpit Road, Kingsdown
Fly-tipped rubbish in Sawpit Road, Kingsdown

Building waste, wooden flooring, cardboard and household waste was found dumped in the street in April 2016.

The council tried to speak to Geary on multiple occasions about how the waste came to be dumped, but he refused to speak to them.

The court issued a warrant for the Roseholme resident’s arrest and he appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court via video link on Monday, February 26.

He admitted permitting waste to be deposited without an environmental permit.

Geary was fined £1,120 and ordered to pay £412 costs and £100 compensation to the landowner where the waste was dumped.

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire
Cllr Nicholas Hampshire

Cllr Nicholas Hampshire, the council’s deputy cabinet member for safer families and communities, said: “This case shows the importance of households getting the details of whoever is taking their waste. In this case we were able to trace it to Mr Geary, who was unwilling to engage with our officers.

“Unfortunately for him, we don’t give up. We take fly-tipping very seriously, and if you need to get rid of excess waste, it is your responsibility to make sure it is disposed of correctly, or you could end up in court. We want to catch those who are dumping the waste, because if they’ve done it once, it’s likely they’ll do it again.

“We are simply asking people to check who is taking their waste, make sure they’re licenced, and keep invoices and receipts so you can help us trace them if waste is dumped.”

To check whether someone is licenced to carry waste, call 03708 506506.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More