Man jailed for fly tipping in Wealden

Ashley Martin, 30, from Tunbridge Wells, had previously received a suspended sentence and fines for fly tipping within Wealden District during 2012 and 2013.

Yet during June 2015, he collected waste for cash from a residential property in Tunbridge Wells, which he then dumped in a car park in St John’s Road, Crowborough, belonging to Ashdown Forest.

The waste was set alight, resulting in the fire service being called out.

In September 2015, he collected waste for cash from a Peacehaven property and drove onto a freshly ploughed field at Ladies Mile, Withyham, to tip it, leaving the farmer the task of clearing it up.

Hastings Magistrates considered the offences very serious. Under Sentencing Guidelines, they ordered him to prison for eight months for the two fly tips, together with over £450 additional costs and charges.

They treated the breach of the previous suspended sentence very seriously and gave him an extra 161 days custodial sentence for the breach to be served consecutively with the eight months.

“The courts have made it clear that they will not tolerate repeated fly tipping,” said Councillor Ann Newton, Cabinet member for Planning and Development.

“Unscrupulous businesses still operate by taking money from householders and businesses to dispose of their waste, then pocketing the cash and despoiling the countryside.

“I would remind anyone before they make use of a waste disposal service to ask to see their Waste Carrier’s Licence before letting them take anything away.

“I would like to thank enforcement officers at Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council who have helped with this prosecution. Our enforcement team will continue to pursue fly tippers and prosecute whenever possible.”

To prevent further fly tipping occurring in our beautiful countryside, Wealden District Council has the following advice for those with waste to be removed:

- Do not pass any waste from your house, business or building site to a waste carrier unless you have seen their Waste Carrier’s Licence. Take the name of the waste carrier which will be on the licence. (The Waste Carrier’s Licence is issued by the Environment Agency and will have their logo on it)

- Ask for a business card and keep it safe.

- Always insist on a receipt for any waste removed as this, along with the name of the waste carrier, will help prove you have disposed of your rubbish in a responsible manner.

- Report any suspicious waste carrying activity in the area to your local council.

If you witness fly tipping, do not approach but take details of any vehicles and persons involved and report this to Wealden’s Street Scene Team on 01892 602735 or [email protected].

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