Big court bills for not helping fly-tipping enquiries
Three householders who failed to help with fly-tipping investigations have all been left with court bills of more than £1,000
South Tyneside Magistrates' Court had heard how between November 2024 and January of this year there was an ongoing problem of fly-tipping in the Hendon area of Sunderland. Several of these were captured on CCTV monitoring as part of an investigation by the City Council's Community Safety team.
Following enquiries, a formal notice was served on Toni Steele, of Hastings Street, Hendon, requesting her to attend an interview with the council and assist with the investigation.
She did not attend or provide a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with further notices and warnings, and did not attend magistrates' court. In her absence, the case was found proven and Miss Steele was fined £660 for failing to assist the fly-tipping investigation, ordered to pay compensation of £310 and costs of £492, a total court bill of £1,462.
Failing to assist is an offence under Section 110 of the Environment Act 1995.
During further enquiries on the Hendon fly-tipping between November 2024 and January of this year, the Community Safety team also served a formal notice requesting an interview with Stacey Loughlin of Hastings Street.
She did not attend or provide a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with further notices and warnings, and did not attend magistrates' court. In her absence, the case was found proven and Miss Loughlin was fined £660 for failing to assist the fly-tipping investigation, ordered to pay compensation of £264 and costs of £356, a total court bill of £1,280.
A third case against Cheryl Gough of Fuller Road was also found proven in her absence by magistrates. The court heard that on Thursday 6 March 2025 waste identifying Miss Gough was found at a fly-tipping incident in Fuller Road.
A formal notice was served on Miss Gough requiring her to attend an interview as part of the investigation.
She did not attend or provide a reasonable excuse, failed to comply with further notices and warnings, and did not attend magistrates' court. In her absence, the case was found proven and Miss Gough was fined £660 for failing to assist, ordered to pay compensation of £155 and costs of £364, a total court bill of £1,179.
The City Council's cabinet member for Environment, Transport and Net Zero, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: "Fly-tipping is not only unacceptable but it is illegal and a serious environmental offence that affects local communities. It presents risks to public health, compromises safety, it is unsightly and undermines neighbourhoods. We investigate all the reports we receive and failing to help our enquiries is an offence. Anyone who witnesses or has information about fly-tipping and littering is urged to contact the City Council and report what they have seen."
Residents can report fly-tipping at: Fly tipping - Sunderland City Council
All three cases were heard at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 11 November.
