Hampshire man ordered to pay over £4,000 for failing to help with fly-tipping investigation
A man who failed to help with a fly-tipping investigation near North Baddesley has been ordered to pay more than £4,000.
Carter Smith, from Waterlooville, was invited to attend an interview under caution by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) after a large fly-tip on land at Castle Lane was found on 11 November 2022. This included insulation boards, wooden pallets, plastic sheeting, carpet, metal strips, and other household items.
A covert camera at the location caught his vehicle being used and the registration plate was clearly visible.
Smith failed to attend the interview on 19 December 2022, but a person claiming to be a friend of his did tell officers that he wasn’t in the country at that time.
The friend was asked to request Smith to contact the council, but no contact was received, and a notice requiring assistance with the investigation was issued on 6 March 2023.
There was no response to the notice.
At Southampton Magistrates Court on 27 October 2023, Smith was given a fine of £2,640 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,056 and costs of £525.
Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, Councillor David Drew, said: “This is a strong result and I hope people take notice of it. Failing to help us when we are investigating these matters will lead to a harsh sentence and one that is so easily avoidable. Ignoring these notices does not mean the incident will just go away, and I hope these substantial fines act as a deterrent for people.”