June 9, 2016 4.11 pm This story is over 93 months old

Lincoln fly-tipper slapped with £2.5k fine after councillor catches him in the act

A man from Lincoln has been ordered to pay £2,593 for fly-tipping after a local councillor caught him red-handed. Scott Overton, 41, of Webster Close, Lincoln, was found guilty in his absence at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 8, of being the registered keeper in charge of a vehicle that was seen involved in…

A man from Lincoln has been ordered to pay £2,593 for fly-tipping after a local councillor caught him red-handed.

Scott Overton, 41, of Webster Close, Lincoln, was found guilty in his absence at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 8, of being the registered keeper in charge of a vehicle that was seen involved in fly-tipping.

The offence took place at Somerton Gate Lane, Waddington, on May 12, 2015.

Overton appeared in court on March 24, where he defended himself and pleaded not guilty to the charge but refused to give details of the person driving the vehicle at the time.

A trial date was set, but having failed to attend the court, Overton was found guilty in his absence.

The court heard how Councillor Mike Gallagher, Deputy Leader of North Kesteven District Council and local member for Waddington East, had witnessed the fly-tipping. He observed from his car in a nearby layby.

He said: “We will not tolerate people leaving their waste illegally in our district.

“If anyone sees any fly-tipping happening, or discovers some left anywhere, it is important that it is reported to us as soon as possible so that we can carry out a full and thorough investigation.

“North Kesteven leads the way in taking strong action against environmental crimes and again, this case shows how we will not shy away from taking robust action in order to protect the beauty of NK and protect rate payers’ money.”

Overton was ordered to pay a £1,100 fine, £1,383 costs and a £110 victim surcharge.

The council has begun installing notices at locations of successful fly-tipping prosecutions, which say: “Warning. People have been prosecuted for fly-tipping in this area.”

Anyone who sees any fly-tipping in the district can report it directly via NKDC’s website, or by calling 01529 414155.