A COUPLE have been ordered to pay more than £1,200 each after taking payment for removing household waste then dumping it in a Tameside beauty spot.
Chantelle White and Michael Thompson, of Brown Edge Road, in the Holts area of Oldham, were found to be responsible for fly tipping at Alt Hill Lane in Ashton-under-Lyne’s Park Bridge Country Park.
Council officers investigated the waste found on November 14, 2023, further and found evidence that led to a resident who told officers she was contacted by Ms White via Facebook Messenger to see if she wanted any rubbish removed and that the rubbish was removed by her and her partner, Mr Thompson.
The resident provided evidence to support her statement.
The pair were offered the opportunity to come in for interview to discuss the incident – with letters inviting them for interview being sent on three occasions – however, all correspondence was ignored.
And they failed to appear for the hearing at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 18, where they were found guilty in their absence for fly tipping.
Magistrates found the case proved and sentenced both offenders to each paying a £660 fine, £242.40 compensation – the full amount of our clean up and investigation costs, £264 Victim Surcharge and £125 costs.
Each was given 28 days to pay and a collection order was issued.
Tameside Council’s executive member for environmental services and neighbourhoods, Cllr Laura Boyle, said: “This is yet another example of people who advertise their services on social media taking payment to remove waste before illegally dumping it.
“It serves as a reminder to residents who are paying for waste to be disposed of on their behalf to always check they have a valid waste carrier licence, ask where the waste is being taken to and get a receipt.
“Fly tipping is a criminal offence and a blight on our local communities.
“We will always take action against those responsible and I’m pleased to see yet another successful court prosecution against offenders.
“This year, we have carried out 16 waste-related prosecutions and have also served 352 Fixed Penalty Notices for waste-related offences.
“Well done to our waste enforcement and legal teams for this dedicated work to support our local communities.”