An angry grandpa who describes himself as a “passionate recycler” is upset that he was fined £400 for fly-tipping because he feels like he was “set up.”
After his recycling was discovered in a fly-tip, Dennis Spencer claims he has been falsely accused of disposing of trash in the Nottinghamshire hamlet of Blidworth, close to Mansfield.
The 61-year-old claims that thieves took his recyclables so that he would be held accountable when the waste pile, which on August 3 included 16 bags of cannabis plants and drug paraphernalia, was found on a remote rural road.
He says that he is a “respectable recycler” and that he has never used drugs. He is furious at being informed that he must pay the local authorities for it.
Mr. Spencer claims that even though he had placed the box in his trash can, it had been retrieved and must have been placed there on purpose as part of a “set up.”
The grandpa of one claims to be a “passionate recycler” who would never discard any trash and who takes time each week to make sure his recycling is accurate and clean.
Dennis Spencer is furious because, despite his accusations that he has been “set up,” his local council punished him for fly-tipping.
The 61-year-old claims his recycling was taken and that, as a “passionate recycler,” he would never discard his rubbish.
After a hearing with the Newark and Sherwood District Council, he was still punished in accordance with section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act.
The father of two was tasked by the authorities with properly disposing of any rubbish he generated.
That is to say, you are to blame if someone takes your trash can, the construction worker who lives alone remarked. It’s an absurd legislation.
In addition, I did get rid of this garbage; who knows how long ago I placed it in my trash can. I’m not sure how it managed to land on top of these 16 bags of cannabis plants.
Then, a letter with a summons arrived via my mailbox; I wouldn’t mind, but I had no clue what it was. I was left wondering what I had done.
I went to the hearing with my brother, but I already knew I was guilty. I tried to explain the situation, but I was still punished.
I said, “So, are you going to fly tip on your own doorstep and leave a box with your name and address, aren’t you?”
“They’ve done me under a statute that seems to apply regardless of the situation, where you’re liable for your own garbage.”
It is my responsibility to dispose of my box, but it is also my responsibility if someone removes it and plants it somewhere despite claims to the contrary.
“You might argue that about a bin truck dumping its load; they don’t pick up all their trash, and what happens if your bin blows over; you could be penalised for that as well,” the speaker said.
You don’t mind being held accountable for anything you did, but I was unaware of it. Even the location of the alley eluded me.
It connects to a dilapidated dirt road about a mile from my home; it was obviously put there deliberately since it showed no signs of wear from the elements.
That was photographed and put there. I wouldn’t fly-tip and leave a box with my name on it. I’m not really that dim.
Someone took it out of my recycle bin and decided to plant it on top of this fly tip, which was filled with bags of cannabis plants and related items.
“I don’t do drugs, and I never have, and I recycle responsibly,” the speaker declares.
Mr. Dennis claims he has never used drugs and believes he is being blamed for the garbage heap that was discovered on August 3 in Nottinghamshire, close to Mansfield.
Mr. Spencer claims that he has attempted to appeal his fine, but thus far his cries have been ignored.
The council doesn’t really care, he said, it’s all about the money.
I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I never even go out. When I opened the envelope, the last thing I anticipated was cannabis.
I recycle constantly because I’m crazy about it. Why would I squander in my own town? I never would have thought to dump someplace.
I wash out my trash, put it in the appropriate container, and make sure it’s clean; I do this once a week since I’m so serious about recycling.
It’s absurd and repulsive. I’ve essentially been set up; I believe I know who did it, but I am unable to provide any proof.
It is the obligation of the citizen or company to appropriately dispose of the trash they create, according to the Environmental Protection Act, according to Roger Jackson, portfolio holder for cleaner, safer, and greener at Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The homeowner or company still has a responsibility to make sure the garbage is not improperly disposed of while using a third party to dispose of waste.
“We continue to encourage anybody using a third party to verify that they have the necessary permits to lawfully dispose of garbage,” the statement reads.