‘Man with a van’ gets prison sentence for flytipping in Brum
Stoney Lane - February 2016
A Birmingham man who collected residents’ waste for cash was imprisoned for eight months after admitting to nine flytipping offences at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (31 March 2017).
Nadim Ali, 46, of Warwick Road, Sparkhill, had pleaded guilty to one offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at an earlier hearing (21 December 2016) and eight further offences at court today. He was sentenced to three months in prison for the first six offences consecutive to five months for the next three offences. The court said his actions were contrary to community life and it was deliberate and caused significant harm.
Birmingham City Council brought the prosecution after a distinctive 54-plate VW camper van, registered to Ali, had been used to dump waste at several locations across the city between 4 February and 30 June 2016.
During this period the vehicle was used to dump waste – including laminate flooring, a cabinet, fish tank, mattresses, kitchen units and a baby’s activity play set – at locations in Balsall Health, Sheldon and Small Heath.
On 23 August 2016, Waste Enforcement Unit officers seized the VW camper van, registered to Ali, from an address in Warwick Road, Sparkhill.
Tony Quigley, Head of the Waste Enforcement Unit at Birmingham City Council, said: “This case was a classic example of individuals who had absolutely no respect for their local environment – and this prosecution shows we can and will pursue culprits who blight our neighbourhoods with fly-tipping.
“It also acts as a timely reminder that anyone who has waste should only use official, licensed disposal firms otherwise they will be contributing to fly-tipping in the city. It is worth spending a few minutes carrying out your own background checks before contacting any organisations offering such a service.
“Further, if you see anybody fly-tipping, report it. We need to tackle this criminal behaviour together.”
To report any other similar incidents of, please visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/dumpedrubbish or email admin@birminghamnewsroom.com
The Waste Enforcement Unit investigates dumped rubbish, officers will sift through rubbish bags to identify where it came from, in order to prosecute flytippers. Officers can also serve legal notice to landowners to clear rubbish that attracts or harbours vermin.
ENDS
