Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Crime Solicitors

Six-month curfew and fine for persistent fly-tipping (8 August 2017)

Date: 08/08/2017
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Six-month curfew and fine for persistent fly-tipping

Gateshead Council has prosecuted a local man who fly-tipped five piles of household waste and building materials – and went on to fly-tip again.

Nathan Stokoe of Pontop View in Rowlands Gill was prosecuted after Gateshead Council environmental health officers investigated a fly tip on Woodside Lane in Ryton, which included of five large piles of household waste, building and roofing materials, furniture, broken glass and what appeared to be a used syringe.

The council says the location is a popular dog walking route, near a site of nature conservation importance.

The following month, enforcement officers began investigating a further series of fly tips at Whinfield Industrial Estate in Rowlands Gill, where the waste was set on fire – one of these incidents was witnessed by a member of the public, who then provided the council with the registration number of the vehicle involved.

That vehicle – a white van – was later seized from Stokoe’s address, under Section 34B of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, by Gateshead Council enforcement officers supported by Northumbria Police.

Enforcement officers were also able to obtain CCTV footage of the three Whinfield Industrial incidents, which show the waste being set alight.

Stokoe initially failed to appear in court to answer charges, but at a later hearing pleaded not guilty to six charges in relation to fly-tipping.

Magistrates referred the case to Newcastle Crown Court, where on 19 June, Stokoe pleaded guilty to four counts of fly tipping, one count of failing to prevent a contravention of the Environmental Protection Act by another person – and one count of endangering highway users by depositing material on the highway.

Stokoe was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to an 18-month community order – including a six-month curfew between the hours of 6pm to 6am – and was ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation activity days.

In addition to the community order and curfew, Stokoe was ordered to pay a £200 fine and to pay costs of £1,000.

The council has also been awarded forfeiture of the vehicle Stokoe’s used to fly-tip the waste and this will be destroyed in due course.

Gateshead Council’s Service Director for development, transport and public protection, Anneliese Hutchinson, said:

“This sentence sends out the clear message that fly-tipping is totally unacceptable.

“We were fortunate on this occasion in having the support of members of the public in helping us to track down this offender – this was crucial and it shows how successful we can be if the council and the public work together.

“Be warned – we will pursue anyone and everyone who despoils our countryside and blights the lives of local people in this way.”


Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly-tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.

For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


For all Crime related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.