Environmental 'vandal' fined

Dumping a load of waste in a lay-by in Hempsted has cost an ‘environmental vandal’ more than £450 in fines and costs.

Now Gloucester City Council is warning others who might be tempted to do the same that they will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in tracking them down.

The dumped load of cardboard boxes and black bags of waste were sifted through by city council environmental health officers. They contained several addresses which were all followed up and resulted in a Tuffley man appearing in court.

He was fined £200 with £250 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Now Councillor Steve Morgan, deputy leader of the council responsible for the environment, has warned: “Let this be a demonstration to anyone else who might be tempted to ruin our city that we will literally leave no stone unturned to track them down.

“Our enforcement team has again demonstrated its tenacity in tracing back this illegal rubbish to its owner – and he has paid a stiff price.

“Flytipping is environmental vandalism. It is anti social and expensive. It is a cost being picked up by everyone else in the city and we are determined to take all measures necessary to put an end to it.”

The city council has been running various campaigns throughout the year to crack down on litter, flytipping and dog fouling.

It spends £1 million a year keeping the city clean – a cost it says that could be greatly reduced if thoughtless litter louts modified their actions