'Substantial' fine for fly-tipper who dumped this rubbish in Hartlepool alley

Kieron Hills was found responsible for fly-tipping waste including part of a bed, furniture, toys and bin bags of rubbish near his own home behind Lime Crescent in the Dyke House area.

He was prosecuted by Hartlepool Borough Council after correspondence with Hills address on was found amongst the rubbish.

Council chiefs have welcomed the court’s action and hope it will act as a deterrent to others.

Hills was found guilty in his absence after failing to attend Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 6.

The fly-tipping was found by a member of the council’s Community Safety and Engagement Team on June 22 of last year.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, told the court: “This was due to complaints received about discarded rubbish and household waste.

"The officer came across some panels of waste including a bed base, toys, suitcase, furniture and other items.

"On examining the black bags letters from different companies referred to Mr Hills and his address.”

Hills, of Lime Crescent, was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. The council took legal action after he did not pay and failed to attend interviews or respond to letters.

Magistrates found the case proved and fined him £1,760.

He was also ordered to pay council clean up costs of £478.15 and a £170 victim surcharge bringing the total bill to £2,408.15.

Philip Hepburn, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Safety Operations Manager, said “We are pleased to see the Magistrates courts recognise fly-tipping as a serious offence and for them to issue a substantial fine.

"Both council staff and the general public work hard to try and keep the town clean and tidy and it is clearly wrong that some individuals think it is OK to simply dump their rubbish and expect others to clear it up.

"Where it can, the council will not hesitate to punish those found responsible.”

Anyone who has evidence about fly-tipping in Hartlepool is urged to call the council’s Community Safety Team on (01429) 523100 or report it on the council’s website at online.hartlepool.gov.uk

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