Fly tipper found guilty
A van owner has been found guilty of fly tipping, even though he told a court he was not present when the offence took place.
Nicolas Carr, aged 42, from George Smith Gardens in Felling, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to an offence under section 33(1)(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Mr Carr's Iveco flat bed truck was spotted on CCTV footage being used to dump garden rubbish and an old sofa on the road at Humber Gardens in Deckham, Gateshead. Mr Carr accepted that the vehicle belonged to him but claimed that if he had been aware that the van was going to be used to fly tip, he would not have agreed to lend it out.
The van owner was prosecuted at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 28th January.
He must pay a total of £640 for the offence - a fine of £200, £200 of costs, £160 compensation and a statutory charge of £80.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"This is important because it demonstrates that if your vehicle is used for illegal activity, you will be held accountable for that activity - even if you are not driving, or even a passenger.
"Fly-tipping is a crime that blights certain parts of Gateshead, and we are cracking down on those responsible. It is important that they understand there are serious consequences for tipping waste."
A van owner has been found guilty of fly tipping, even though he told a court he was not present when the offence took place.
Nicolas Carr, aged 42, from George Smith Gardens in Felling, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to an offence under section 33(1)(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Mr Carr's Iveco flat bed truck was spotted on CCTV footage being used to dump garden rubbish and an old sofa on the road at Humber Gardens in Deckham, Gateshead. Mr Carr accepted that the vehicle belonged to him but claimed that if he had been aware that the van was going to be used to fly tip, he would not have agreed to lend it out.
The van owner was prosecuted at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 28th January.
He must pay a total of £640 for the offence - a fine of £200, £200 of costs, £160 compensation and a statutory charge of £80.
Councillor Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said:
"This is important because it demonstrates that if your vehicle is used for illegal activity, you will be held accountable for that activity - even if you are not driving, or even a passenger.
"Fly-tipping is a crime that blights certain parts of Gateshead, and we are cracking down on those responsible. It is important that they understand there are serious consequences for tipping waste."
