A Basildon resident has been fined for flytipping a bulk builders bag full of waste to the rear of his own property.
Richard Fitz-Patrick, 29, of Hollands Walk, Basildon, appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court for leaving a builders bag full of paint tins, garden waste, wood and general waste on 2 October last year.
The first court hearing at Basildon Magistrates’ Court was on 22 July 2019 where he pleaded not guilty to the offence. This was then moved to trial hearing on 16 October 2019, where he was found guilty.
After hearing evidence from Mr Fitz-Patrick, the Magistrate decided that he was guilty of the offence. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge for six months, £200 fine and £20 victim surcharge.
Chairman of Basildon Council’s Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Councillor David Harrison, said: “The council is committed to ensuring that residents live in a clean and safe place. Pursuing flytipping prosecutions and getting positive results like this should serve as a deterrent.
“This shows that Fixed Penalty Notices are to be taken seriously and that action will be taken if rules about flytipping are ignored. All residents need to work together making sure that their waste is disposed of correctly.
“Leaving waste outside of your property without permission is flytipping and we will treat it as such.
“We removed more than 3,600 flytips last year with more than 80% made up of household waste. It is important that we all play our part in keeping our Borough clean.
