Serial fly-tipper was caught dumping rubbish in rural Wilmington
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A serial fly-tipper has been ordered to pay up after being caught dumping rubbish in a Wilmington car park.
Gary Cooper, 26, of Batts Bridge, Maresfield, pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court to fly tipping on two occasions in 2011: at Chalk Pit car park in Wilmington and Cooksbridge near Lewes.
The Maresfield man was ordered to pay compensation and costs of nearly £500 for fly tipping after he took money from members of the public to remove their rubbish.
The Court heard how members of the public in Seaford and Brighton paid Mr Cooper to remove waste from their properties.
But the Seaford residents were then horrified when they saw their waste dumped in the attractive rural surroundings of Wilmington.
Investigations led to the person who employed Mr Cooper and eventually to Mr Cooper himself, although Mr Cooper had used a different name when making the collections.
Magistrates awarded both witnesses compensation amounting to the fees they paid Mr Cooper which totalled £290.
Wealden District Council and Lewes District Council were involved in a joint prosecution.
Each received a £100 contribution to their costs.
In Wealden, 93 per cent of fly tips are removed within two days of being reported to the Council. aid Councillor Rowena Moore, Wealden District Council Cabinet member for Waste Management, said, “The full extent of Mr Cooper’s illegal activities came to light at a regular meeting of local authority enforcement team officers and helped lead to a concerted effort to bring Mr Cooper to justice.
“We are very grateful to the members of the public who came forward to help with the prosecution. “Through everyone being observant and working together we can stamp out the activities of the fly-tippers who, though few in number, make such a ugly impact in our countryside.”
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Friday 24 May 2013
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