Wakefield fly-tipper loses vehicle and gains £878 fine

​A Wakefield man was left without the use of his vehicle and has received a significant fine for a fly-tipping offence following an appearance at Leeds Magistrates Court.
By Leanne Clarke
Published 28th Jan 2020, 15:20 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2020, 16:35 BST
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Benjamin Smith, 28, of Pontefract Road, Featherstone, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 after being caught on CCTV in November 2019 driving a vehicle that was transporting a plastic shed later found fly tipped on Hessle Common Lane, Ackworth.

A witness statement also supported the fact that the vehicle had been used to move the waste.

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Wakefield Council's enforcement team used their delegated powers to seize the vehicle used while the investigation was carried out.

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Smith, 28,was caught on CCTV driving a vehicle that was transporting a plastic shed later found fly-tipped on Hessle Common Lane, Ackworth. (Wakefield Council)Smith, 28,was caught on CCTV driving a vehicle that was transporting a plastic shed later found fly-tipped on Hessle Common Lane, Ackworth. (Wakefield Council)
Smith, 28,was caught on CCTV driving a vehicle that was transporting a plastic shed later found fly-tipped on Hessle Common Lane, Ackworth. (Wakefield Council)

In court, magistrates gave Smith credit for entering a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

He was fined £480 and a victim surcharge of £48. He was also ordered to pay costs of £300 to cover investigation time and legal costs and £50 compensation to clear up the waste, totalling £878.

​Coun Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities, said: “Thanks to our enforcement team, we’ve successfully used CCTV footage and a reliable witness statement to identify the culprit and seize his vehicle ahead of pursuing this court prosecution.

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“We are pleased with this result and hope it sends a clear message to anyone thinking about fly tipping in the Wakefield district – it will not be tolerated and you stand to lose use of your vehicle and face criminal proceedings.”