North Devon man who dumped oil barrels and fridges fined more than £11,000

A man from Wrafton has been ordered to pay more than £11,000 for fly-tipping offences following a successful prosecution by North Devon Council.

Ben Puig, aged 22, of Wrafton, Braunton, pleaded guilty to offences of fly-tipping, disposing waste with no waste transfer notes and failure of duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, when he appeared at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on Monday, December 15.

Council officers launched an investigation on September 20 following a report of fly-tipped waste at land in West Down, which included three leaking oil barrels, two large refrigerators, a broom and a drain junction. Spilled oil was also reported at a business address in Barnstaple.

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Puig identified himself to the landowner at West Down and admitted his role in dumping the waste. He removed the leaking barrels prior to officers attending. Officers collected samples and the refrigerators were cleared by the council.

Officers were able to find the oil barrels in the vehicle, which was subsequently seized under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 due to its use in carrying out the offence.

Puig was ordered to pay a total of £11,633 comprising £5,220 in fines for the offences, a surcharge of £2,000 and £4,413 for costs.

Councillor Julie Hunt, lead member for waste and recycling at North Devon Council, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that we take fly-tipping seriously and we hope the fine issued by the court serves as a warning to others.

“My thanks go to the officers who have worked hard and used the powers they have to hold those responsible to account and to the members of the public who reported it to us and helped this investigation.

“The defendant in this case has displayed conscience in admitting his role in the offences and he has shown remorse throughout the process.

“We all have a role to play in keeping North Devon clean, so if you employ someone to take your waste away, always check they have a proper waste carrier's licence and take their name, address and vehicle details.”

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Prosecution for dumping waste can result in fines of up to £50,000 at a magistrates' court, or an unlimited fine at higher courts and up to five years in prison. Vehicles used in offences can also be seized and crushed.

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping or other environmental offences on the council's website, where there is also more guidance about fly-tipping and how to ensure you choose a registered waste carrier.