A fly-tipper has been fined after he was discovered to have dumped a large amount of waste in a secluded natural area.
In August 2021 Council officers within the Neighbourhood Compliance Team discovered a large flytip in Willenhall Road, in the Kenworthy Woods area of Northenden.
It was noted the waste had been dumped in the hedgerow as well as on a nearby cycle path. CCTV footage later examined by officers showed a van pulling up to the area and dumping waste on two separate occasions, August 10, 2021, and August 14, 2021.
Investigations found that on the suspected dates of the flytip, the registered owner of the van had lent it to defendant Luke Pollitt, 24 of Jubilee Court, Wilmslow, to use.
When interviewed by the Council in March 2022, Pollitt admitted to dumping waste in the area on both occasions.
On February 23, 2023 he made his first appearance at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, entering a guilty plea. The hearing was then adjourned to prepare pre-sentencing reports.
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Pollitt appeared again at Manchester Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with a mandatory 15 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as being fined £200.
He was also fined £50 for a bail act offence, after failing to appear at an earlier sentencing appearing scheduled for April, 2023.
Pollitt was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £94, and court costs of £1,502.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: “As a Council we work tirelessly to track down and prosecute flytippers. It is a shameful crime that does nothing other than degrade our neighbourhoods.
“In this instance it is especially unpleasant, given the waste was dumped in Kenworthy Woods, a well-loved and used natural spot where residents can escape from the surrounding urban environment.
“I would like to thank our officers who investigated this case and legal team who secured this prosecution. I want this to send a message to anyone who thinks of replicating this crime, that they will be caught, and brought to justice.”