South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 28/01/2015

A Winterbourne man is nearly £600 out of pocket after he was caught fly tipping in Yate.

James O’Driscoll, 52, of Northwood Park, Old Gloucester Rd, Winterbourne, appeared before Northavon Magistrates Court on Thursday 22 January.

He pleaded guilty to fly tipping, not having a waste carrier’s licence, no waste transfer note and failing to supply information about the vehicle used to commit the crime. O’Driscoll was fined £183, ordered to pay £380 costs and a victim surcharge of £20.

The offence took place on Sunday 29 June 2014 at a community composting site at Shireway in Yate which is no longer operational.

A witness saw a flatbed lorry arrive at the site fully loaded with earth, mud and rubble. The vehicle was driven straight to the composting area and the driver used the lorry’s tipper mechanism to empty the contents onto the ground before getting back into the cab and driving off.

The witness took down the vehicle registration number and subsequent investigations identified O’Driscoll as the registered keeper of the vehicle. South Gloucestershire Environmental Health then began prosecution action. O’Driscoll failed to appear in court for his first hearing so a warrant was issued by the court. Police later arrested him at his home address.

He admitted all the charges and pleaded guilty during a short court hearing on 22 January.

Chair of the council’s Communities Committee Cllr Claire Young said: “Fly tipping is an eyesore, can be hazardous to residents and its removal creates significant costs for tax payers, who ultimately have to pick up the bill.
“This prosecution serves as a reminder to anyone involved in the illegal dumping of waste that if you fly tip rubbish in South Gloucestershire, you will be prosecuted.”

Residents who see illegal fly tipping are encouraged to report it by contacting the Street Care helpdesk on 01454 868000, emailing streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/flytipping