Custodial sentence for North Northants fly tipper

14 October 2022

A business owner has been sentenced for a period of 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, after appearing at Wellingborough Magistrates Court in connection with a fly-tipping offence.

Mr Buta of Ferrerstone Road, Wellingborough was spotted dumping household waste on private land close to Woodford Lodge Farm on 19 July 2021 and enquiries by North Northamptonshire Council (NNC)’s Waste team revealed that he was operating a waste removal service under the name of Sil All Services (based in Wellingborough) but did not hold a Waste Carriers Licence.

Unaware that Mr Buta did not hold a licence for carrying waste, a Rushden resident used the company for the removal of household waste and was assured that the items would be disposed of lawfully. He paid £70.00 for the service and was shocked to hear where his waste had ended up.

Throughout the investigation, Mr Buta provided a false name and subsequently lied during the interview under caution. He also failed to attend his first court hearing and showed no remorse when facing the Magistrate.

Alongside the suspended sentence, Mr Buta was fined £850 by the court at a hearing in September and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.

This case shows that selfish, anti-social fly tipping will not be tolerated by this council and the courts are prepared to issue custodial sentences to persistent fly tippers. Anyone disposing of waste illegally across North Northamptonshire could end up in the same situation.

This case also highlights the importance of ensuring anyone you pay to dispose of waste is a licensed carrier. Mr Buta made financial gain from this activity and duped innocent members of the public, who believed they were dealing with a reputable business. We advise if you are planning to use a business to remove waste for you, check the online register or speak to our Officers who are keen to assist and guide you – even ask for a copy of their licence. Alternatively, you can use one of our household recycling centres or book a bulky waste collection.Cllr Graham Lawman, the council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

We have a zero-tolerance policy on fly-tipping and will send cases to the court, if necessary. Our Officers work tirelessly to tackle fly-tipping and littering across the area, but we also need residents’ help, if you spot fly-tipped waste anywhere across North Northamptonshire, please report it via our website and Officers will investigate.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

This case is one of several for fly-tipping across North Northamptonshire which have come to court in recent months, alongside multiple Fixed Penalty Notices issued for offences in August and September including two £400 fly tipping fines for offenders in Hamblin Court, Rushden, a £400 fly-tipping for an offence in Vara Close, Corby and a £100 littering fine in Sywell Country Park. All the above-mentioned Fixed Penalty Notices cases were caught on CCTV.

You can check whether a business is a licensed waste carrier through Government’s online register.

Fly-tipping in North Northamptonshire can be reported online via NNC’s website.