Householder pays the price for fly-tipping

The Royal Borough is this week warning residents that they could be found guilty of fly-tipping - even if someone else has actually illegally disposed of rubbish from their property.

The Royal Borough is this week warning residents that they could be found guilty of fly-tipping - even if someone else has actually illegally disposed of rubbish from their property.

The warning comes in the wake of a recent court case relating to illegal dumping in Ferry Lane, Wraysbury - in which a householder was convicted of the offence.

Tracey Ann Jefford, 49, Hithermoor Road, Staines was found guilty when she appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday 12 July in relation to an offence of causing illegal dumping, more commonly referred to as fly-tipping, in Ferry Lane, Wraysbury earlier this year.

Mrs Jefford was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £450 towards the council's costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The court heard that on 9 January of this year Mrs Jefford employed a local odd-jobman to help her clear out her garage and then loaned him her van to take the rubbish to be disposed of. However, the waste was later discovered illegally dumped in Ferry Lane, Wraysbury by a Royal Borough enforcement officer. An investigation found the source of the waste came from Mrs Jefford's property.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and environment, said: "Residents should be aware that they are committing an offence if they get someone to take their waste away and it is later found illegally dumped. Anyone who has waste taken away should ensure they only employ people who are registered waste carriers, particularly if those people have called at the property without an appointment.

"Residents can check to see if someone is a registered waste carrier by contacting the Environment Agency on 0370 8506506 and ask for a waste carrier validation check."

Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping can report it to the council on the fly-tipping hotline 0500 885055.

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