A Wallsend man has been handed a fine of more than £1,000 for failing to give the name of someone who fly-tipped in North Tyneside.
North Shields Magistrates Court ordered the 23-year-old to pay the fine of £1,000, plus £275 in costs.
Using a vehicle belonging to the man, two people dumped two sofas, two mattresses, a fridge, two office chairs and five wooden pallets in an area of North Shields.
Enquiries led North Tyneside Council to the man, using DVLA vehicle checks, and officers served a notice requiring him, as the registered keeper of the transit van, to provide information about the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence.
And after he refused to do so, the council took the man to court.
Colin Boxshall, community protection manager at North Tyneside Council, said: “We work extremely hard to make sure the borough is clean, safe and well-maintained and we will not allow a minority to spoil it.
“Fly-tipping is completely unacceptable and can blight communities.
“We hope this action sends a clear message to those who chose to break the law in this way that it will not be tolerated and waste must be disposed of legally and responsibly.
“If anyone witnesses fly-tipping, littering or dog fouling, I’d urge them to report it to the council.”
To report environmental issues to the council, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0345 2000 103.
Notes to editors:
The notice was issued under section 71 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, requiring the registered keeper of the vehicle to provider information about the driver the time of the fly-tipping offence. No information was provided.