Big fine for fly-tipper who ignored fixed penalty notice

Magistrates have ordered a fly-tipper who dumped rubbish on her own street to pay a £2,200 fine.

Enforcement officers from Tameside Council (TMBC) twice traced waste left on Corporation Street in Audenshaw to Lisa Bowler. 

She discarded chairs, mattresses, bin bags and general waste on the street in April and August 2023, with TMBC sending her a Fixed Penalty Notice that went unanswered. 

Bowler pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Tameside Magistrates’ Court last April, saying that she had somebody who removed her waste. 

However, she couldn’t prove that she had given her rubbish to a licenced waste carrier and the matter was brought to trial on Tuesday January 21. 

She didn’t show up to court, though, with the magistrate finding her guilty of fly-tipping in her absence. 

They also slapped her with a £1,100 fine, £440 in victim surcharges, and court costs of £6.65.68. 

“This is yet another great result from court and sends a clear message that we will not tolerate fly-tipping and we will always take action where we find evidence,” said Cllr Laura Boyle, TMBC’s Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods lead. 

“Fly-tipping is our blight on our communities, ruining the appearance of local neighbourhoods and costing the council and local taxpayers thousands of pounds to clear up every year.  

“We all have a responsibility to look after our streets and to dump your waste in the street like this is inexcusable.  

“I would also like to remind people that if you do use or pay someone to take away your waste, you must ensure they are a licensed waste carrier, ask where they are taking your waste to and get a receipt.”