…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
A young mother has been ordered to pay a £634 court bill for fly-tipping, despite her claims that it was her ex-partner who dumped the rubbish at a nearby beauty spot.
Jade Grocott, appearing at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre, maintained that her former boyfriend was responsible for waste disposal and that she was unaware he had included her waste, which was later found at Parkhall Country Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
Discovery of Evidence and Penalty Notice:
Anthony O’Dowd, prosecuting on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, explained that enforcement officers were dispatched to the park following an anonymous report of fly-tipping.
After conducting an investigation, they found plastic sheeting with Grocott’s address on it, according to StokeonTrentlive.
Council records were subsequently checked, leading to a £400 fixed penalty notice issued on April 29 the previous year.
The council acknowledged that Grocott did not physically dump the waste, but failed to ensure its proper disposal.
Grocott’s Guilty Plea and Court Ruling:
As the occupier of the domestic property, Grocott pleaded guilty to the charge of not taking appropriate measures to ensure authorized waste transfer.
The court determined that the dumped waste had a minor adverse effect on public health.
Consequently, Grocott received a £200 fine and was additionally ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £400 in costs to the council.
The total amount of £634 will be repaid in monthly installments of £20.
Council’s Success in Tackling Fly-Tipping:
This recent court ruling signifies another victory for Stoke-on-Trent City Council in its campaign against fly-tipping.
In a bid to combat this issue, the council has announced plans to recruit more enforcement officers and invest in additional CCTV as part of a comprehensive approach to eliminate this problem.
Conclusion:
Despite Jade Grocott’s insistence that her ex-partner was responsible for fly-tipping, she has been ordered to pay a court bill of £634.
The council’s enforcement officers discovered evidence linking the waste to her address.
While acknowledging that she did not personally dispose of the waste, the court found her guilty of failing to take reasonable measures for proper waste disposal.
This ruling underscores the council’s determination to tackle the issue of fly-tipping and its commitment to implementing effective measures to combat this problem.