A Swindon roofer has been sentenced for dumping waste in the countryside.
Ashleigh Witts, trading as ARW Property Services, discarded a large pile of construction materials in Latton near Cricklade in March 2025.
The 36-year-old, of Galsworthy Close, Swindon, was caught with Wiltshire Council officers searched the waste – only to find evidence linking it to the business.
At Swindon Magistrates Court on 29 May, he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping and failing to produce waste transfer documentation.
“When officers attended the site, they discovered a significant quantity of construction waste, including roofing materials such as felt, chipboard and tiles,” the council said.
Adding: “Evidence linked the waste to a Swindon-based roofing business, which assisted the officers to trace the waste carrier, Mr Witts, trading as ARW Property Services.
“However, vehicle tracking data showed that instead of disposing of the waste lawfully, Mr Witts transported it into Wiltshire and dumped it illegally.
“He was also found to be operating without a valid waste carrier’s licence. Due to legal time limits for prosecuting this offence, it was not possible to include this charge in the court proceedings.
“Despite multiple requests, Mr Witts failed to attend an interview until several months later, where he gave no comment responses.
“He also failed to provide legally required waste transfer notes and did not pay two fixed penalty notices, leaving the council no option but to pursue a prosecution.”
Witts was handed a 12-month community order, with the requirement to complete 140 hours of unpaid work. Fines and costs also handed down totalled £1,114.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, said: “This case sends a very clear message – we will take action against anyone committing environmental crime within our county.
“Mr Witts was trusted to dispose of waste responsibly but instead chose to dump it illegally, harming our environment and local communities.
“On top of that, he failed to operate legally as a waste carrier and ignored multiple opportunities to cooperate with our investigation.
“Fly-tipping is a serious offence. If you are paid to handle and dispose of waste, you have a legal duty to do so properly.
“If you don’t, you can face prosecution, significant financial penalties and other sanctions, as this case clearly demonstrates. We will continue to investigate and take action wherever necessary.”
