Saffron Walden man admits flytipping

A SAFFRON Walden man who fly-tipped on a footpath next to Uttlesford District Council’s premises has ended up �265 out of pocket – after stalling on a �33 costs payment for an entire year.

Five bags of rubbish were dumped on the path right next to the council’s offices in London Road back in September 2010. Enforcement officers identified the culprit after finding personal details among the rubbish and called him in for interview last October.

The man, Shane Sutton, of Ross Close, accepted a conditional formal warning and agreed to pay the council’s costs of �33.

However, several months later he had not made the payment and after a final warning letter in February 2011 a court summons was issued. Mr Sutton (who changed his surname to Bailey at some point during the legal process) failed to attend court on both March 25 and April 19.

The court then issued a warrant for his arrest. Police arrested and bailed him to attend court on August 23.

At that date he admitted fly-tipping and was fined �100 and ordered to pay �150 costs to the council plus a �15 victim surcharge.

Cabinet member environmental service, Cllr Susan Barker, said: “It is astonishing that anyone would admit to fly-tipping and then attempt to avoid paying �33. The fact that this person has ended up paying out �265 and was arrested in the process was easily avoidable.

“Of course the best way to have avoided it would have been for him to have disposed of his rubbish in the proper way, instead of dumping it on the path.

“I hope this demonstrates that Uttlesford District Council takes fly-tipping very seriously and we will always seek evidence and pursue those responsible for as long as it takes.”