Crime Solicitors

Darlington Council has prosecuted a local man after he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping on the approach to the A66 underpass at Little Burdon.

On Monday 22 August at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, Benn Grainger, 35, of Anns Terrace in Darlington was fined £935 and ordered to pay £427.19 in costs and a £93 victim surcharge.

The court heard how, at 10.15am on Friday 11 September 2015 – and as a result of information received – a member of the council’s Street Scene Enforcement Team was made aware that a large quantity of commercial waste, including asbestos, had been deposited on the eastbound approach to the underpass.

CCTV footage clearly showed a vehicle containing two persons – one of whom was later identified as Grainger – fly-tipping waste at 8.23pm on Thursday 10 September 2015.

In court, Grainger could not give a reason as to why the waste was fly-tipped – or where the waste in the back of the vehicle had come from.

The council says that, following a huge increase in the unauthorised disposal of commercial waste, two permanent signs were installed on the approaches to the A66 underpass at Little Burdon on 9 August 2015.

The signs warned that the area was being monitored with CCTV and any fly- tipping would result in prosecution.

Following the erection of the signage, two covert CCTV cameras were installed on the eastbound approach to the underpass.

Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment, Councillor Nick Wallis, said:

“The annual cost of street cleaning and clearing up after fly-tippers for Darlington tax payers is approximately £1.5 million a year.

“The vast majority of people living in Darlington are responsible and care about the borough – these cases show that we will catch and punish those who persist in this anti-social behaviour.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

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

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide 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.