Sevenoaks man prosecuted for fly tipping in Riverhead after being tracked down by district council’s environmental enforcement team

A SEVENOAKS man has been fined £846 and ordered to pay £800 in costs and a £80 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to fly-tipping in Riverhead following an investigation by Sevenoaks District Council.

Council enforcement officers tracked down the fly tipper after examining waste dumped near River Court in Riverhead.

The 29-year-old defendant was handed the fine at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Friday 7 June 2019 and was told he must pay within 28 days. He admitted fly-tipping a number of plastic bags full of waste from his van in a communal area at River Court, Riverhead.

Sevenoaks District Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team investigated the incident and found information in the waste tracing it back to an address in Tunbridge Wells. The Council then established the defendant had collected the waste from this address.

The Council’s Cleaner and Greener Cabinet Member, Margot McArthur, said: “Once again we have prosecuted a criminal who showed disregard for the environment we cherish. We are the only local authority in Kent to have a dedicated fly-tipping investigation team and we will continue to take a zero tolerance approach and bring fly-tippers to justice.”

The waste was dumped in the vicinity of River Court in Riverhead.

“Anyone thinking about fly-tipping in the Sevenoaks District should beware – whenever we have sufficient evidence, we will take action, if necessary through the courts.”

Residents can report fly-tipping on public land and on the highway by calling Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000.

The Council also provides a bulky waste collection service for large items. Residents should call 01732 227000 or visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/refuse for details.