A householder checked that a waste carrier was properly registered before paying him £140 to clear rubbish – only for it to end up fly-tipped.
Martin Atcherley, of Stokes Croft, Calne, has now been prosecuted by Wiltshire Council after admitting he collected the waste later found dumped near Kellaways, Chippenham.
The rubbish was discovered in a roadside ditch after environmental enforcement officers responded to a report of fly-tipping on 2 January this year.
A significant amount of waste had been dumped in a roadside ditch, including used paint cans, plastic bottles and cardboard packaging.
Among the rubbish, officers discovered items linking it to a residential address in Calne.
Their investigation found that the homeowner had been clearing out their garage and garden shed and paid Atcherley £140 to take the unwanted items away.
Crucially, the householder had checked that Atcherley was a registered waste carrier before handing over the rubbish.
When interviewed under caution, Atcherley admitted collecting the waste and confirmed that the material found near Kellaways was the same rubbish he had removed from the property.
He claimed a family member later borrowed his vehicle while the waste was still inside and had been instructed to dispose of it in a skip.
But Atcherley failed to provide details of the individual or evidence showing that the waste had been disposed of lawfully.
He appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 1 September, where he pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care in relation to waste.
Atcherley was ordered to pay a total of £1,410 in fines, costs and a victim surcharge.
The homeowner cooperated with Wiltshire Council’s investigation and received a £100 reward through its We’re Targeting Fly-tippers campaign.
Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “This case highlights that registered waste carriers have important legal responsibilities for the waste they collect and transport, but it also serves as a reminder for homeowners that just because someone is licensed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will dispose of the waste lawfully.
“That’s why we always advise anyone who is having their waste taken away to get a receipt, note the vehicle registration and record the waste carrier’s licence details.
“That way, if the waste is dumped, we can trace the person who did it and demonstrate that the homeowner has met their duty of care.
“Fly-tipping blights our countryside, harms the environment and places a financial burden on taxpayers who ultimately fund its removal.
“We will continue to investigate all environmental offences and take enforcement action where appropriate.”
