A fly-tipper caught dumping 10 tonnes of waste, including a carpet, sofas and bathroom furniture outside garages in Waddon, has been told to pay nearly £2,000 in costs and compensation.
Louis Robinson was caught dumping tonnes of mixed waste and associated goods near garages on Thorneloe Gardens.
The 29-year old was seen by residents fly-tipping waste in the garage area on several occasions and was reported to the council.
Council officers set up CCTV cameras in the area and Robinson and another unidentified man were caught arriving later the same day in a white Ford Transit van and dumping a large quantity of waste. The number plate of the vehicle was clearly captured on the CCTV.
While on patrol a few days later, officers saw the same van parked on the side of the road, with Robinson loading garden waste, including fence posts, into the back of it.
The officers approached him and with the assistance of the local police team seized the vehicle which was later destroyed by the council.
Robinson was arrested and taken into police custody and questioned under caution about the fly-tipping offences by council officers.
He initially claimed he was helping a friend to transport the household items into the garage area, but later admitted the waste had been collected from a number of local residential addresses.
The fly-tips he left behind cost more than £1,500 to clear up. Robinson was ordered to pay the cost of clearing up the waste when he was sentenced at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 16 January.
Robinson, of Headley Drive, New Addington, was convicted of depositing waste on public land contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 240 hours of unpaid work and told to pay compensation of £1,518, costs of £300 and a £85 victim surcharge. He was also made subject to a two-year criminal behaviour order.
“I’m grateful for all the hard work officers and residents put in to help catch him and will be writing to those responsible for administrating the 240 hours unpaid work to suggest it is carried out clearing fly tips.
“Fly-tipping is a serious crime and blights our communities. We will always do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”
Councillor Stuart Collins, deputy leader – Clean Green Croydon
