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Offender caught on camera at
fly tipping 'grot spot'
TARGETED surveillance at a fly tipping
'grot spot' in Wirral led to the successful prosecution of a 24 year old
local man. Specially installed CCTV cameras captured the evidence which resulted
in Shaun Clarke, from Bidston, pleading guilty to offences under the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. He admitted being the driver of a borrowed
van captured during the course of 2 incidents of illegal dumping on Wilding Way,
Bidston Hill, on 24 October 2016.
Clarke identified himself as the person responsible for dumping items, which
appeared to be the contents of a house or shed clearance, from the van during
the 2nd incident.
In mitigation, Mr Clarke told the hearing at Wirral Magistrates Court, on 30
November 2017, that he had agreed to dispose of the items as a favour to his
girlfriend and had intended to take them to the tip, but it was closed.
As he did not want to return the van still full of waste, he decided instead to
leave it on Wilding Way where, he claimed, he had seen other items dumped and
believed he was not committing an offence.
In deciding on the penalty, the court took these factors into account, along
with the early guilty plea, and handed Clarke a ₤290 fine, a compensation order
in respect of clean up costs of ₤250, prosecution costs of ₤250 and a victim
surcharge of ₤30. In total, the financial penalty was ₤820.
Cllr Phillip Brightmore, Wirral Council
Cabinet member for Environment, said:- "We don't accept there is ever any
excuse to dump waste illegally in Wirral and we will always investigate
incidents and bring offenders to justice, whenever we are able to gather enough
evidence to do so.
In this case, officers were using all the powers at their disposal to address an
area that had been particularly targeted by fly tippers so to see their efforts
result in a successful prosecution is not just satisfying, it is vindication for
all their hard work.
We have a beautiful borough and we will not shy away prosecuting those few who
would seek to spoil it. Wirral Council will not tolerate environmental crime."
Bidston Hill is a local beauty spot and a site of biological importance, popular
with walkers, dog owners and other visitors, but it had become blighted by
illegally dumped waste.
In response to concerns raised by residents, local Councillors and Wirral
Council Rangers who manage the site, the Council's Environmental Enforcement
Team began an operation to identify those responsible for the fly tipping in
this location.
Part of this operation involved the deployment
of CCTV cameras.
After new dumped waste was discovered on 25 October 2016, environmental
enforcement officers inspected the area for evidence and commenced an
investigation.
CCTV footage recorded on Wilding Way was reviewed and it had captured the 2
incidents of fly tipping that occurred the previous evening.
Enquiries traced the van back to the owner, who told officers that he had lent
it to the boyfriend of his daughter and it was from here that they were able to
identify and interview Mr Clarke in relation to the offences, which he admitted.
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