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Two men were found guilty of fly-tipping and fined at the Magistrates court on 1 December 2020.
Gathering of evidence
Evidence gathered by the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers showed that on or about 1 June 2019 Mr Mohsen Azizi had deposited a quantity of wood from his car in Darby Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex. Mr Reza Savar acted as his lookout.
Prosecution proceedings
Both men were interviewed under caution by Environmental Enforcement Officers, and as a result prosecution proceedings were commenced against each of them. At a court hearing on 19 December 2019 Mr Azizi pleaded guilty to the fly tipping offence but Mr Savar pleaded not guilty to aiding and assisting Mr Azizi.
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the trial of Mr Savar did not take place until 1 December 2020. Neither Mr Azizi or Mr Savar attended court and the Magistrates found Mr Savar guilty in his absence.
The Magistrates stated that they were sure that Mr Savar had aided and assisted Mr Azizi in the fly tipping and had acted as his lookout.
Ordered to pay a fine
Mr Savar was ordered to pay a fine of £480 He was also ordered to pay a contribution towards the Council’s prosecution costs of £1411.50 together with a Victim Surcharge £48.
Mr Azizi was given credit for his guilty plea and was ordered to pay a fine of £1173. He was also ordered to pay a contribution towards the Council’s prosecution costs of £661.50 together with a Victim Surcharge £117.
Take action
Cllr Holly Whitbread, Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Services said:
Fly tipping is a blight on the Epping Forest District, and costs landowners across the East of England on average £1000 for each incident. It cost Essex council tax payers over £1 million a year to clear fly tipping from the Highway and other Council owned land.
The Council’s Environmental Enforcement Team will continue to work to address these issues, and take action where appropriate, in conjunction with partner organisations, to ensure that waste is removed by licenced waste carriers and disposed of responsibly.
If anyone is found fly tipping, or not complying with their household duty of care they may be offered a £400 Fixed Penalty, or, as in this case, prosecuted through the courts.
We need your help
Residents and business can help by ensuring that they:
- Do not deposit waste, no matter how small, by street litter bins or on street corners. Householders can take their waste to their local civic amenity sites (restrictions may apply), via the Council’s kerbside collection, or book a special collection via our website.
- If using a private contractor, ask to see a waste carrier registration number issued by the Environment Agency. It is illegal for them to take your waste if they don’t have a licence.
- Get a receipt. Make sure you get a receipt or transfer notice before your waste is taken away. Businesses that produce commercial waste must keep records for two years.
- Ask where your waste is going. Don’t be afraid to ask where your waste is going and request paperwork that shows where it will be disposed. A legitimate waste carrier will not object to this questioning.
- Be careful with your waste. Never leave rubbish, such as old washing machines or scrap metal on your drive or in the street as it could end up in the wrong hands. You can donate working items to reuse organisations or charity shops, but these should be donated during opening hours, and not deposited outside when the shop is closed.
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