Someone has fly tipped my waste, help!!!

ThatFeebGirl

Hi everybody, not sure this is the right category but none matched. So I posted on a local group yesterday asking for a waste removal service. I hired a man with a van to dispose of some waste for me (it was 2 big plastic boxes filled with general waste, and a wardrobe). He turned up, took the rubbish, I paid by bank transfer (after him insisting that he wanted payment via cash) and he left. 

However, this morning a picture of my waste has been put on a local group not far from where I live and had a picture of my name and address on it (I left an Amazon box in with the waste, more fool me for not scribbling it out). It's all been fly tipped by the man I hired, unfortunately. The post has now been taken down due to sensitive information.

Anyway, I am super worried about this because I know that it'll backfire on me (even though I have proof linking him to the offence and proof of payment) because I stupidly didn't check if he was licensed...I mean, why would I? It isn't something I'd have thought to do. 

My main worry is, can I get a prison sentence for this or will it most likely be a fine? I have a clean criminal record, I have never done anything in my life that I can be punished for. I'm terrified they're going to lock me up and this is something I can't deal with...a fine is okay, I'll pay it. But not being locked up.

couriervanman

How much did he charge you.......if very cheap you were asking for trouble 

trex227

Looks like it’s a fixed penalty notice of up to £400. If you don’t pay whatever fine the council issue you with it will probably get referred to court. I’ve seen other posts where the council have requested someone go in for interview under caution but I don’t think they can legally require you go in.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5950452/accused-of-fly-tipping-interview-under-caution

I think the up to 5 years in prison/ £50,000 fine more applies to repeat offenders/businesses that are fly tipping.

zagubov

Not much help for the OP. sorry.
But for future readers, there are no real bargains with waste disposal, such as "man with a van". If it's cheap, it's for a reason. End of story. 

macman

No one is going to lock you up., don't be over dramatic. The fact that you paid by bank transfer is a huge bonus, as it not only shows that you paid someone to take it, but also allows him to be very easily traced. So inform the LA, and give them his bank details-then it's up to them to prosecute if they wish.
What mystifies me is why you are paying someone to take away general household waste that your LA collects for free? And they are recycling cardboard again in most areas...

youth_leader

So sorry this happened to you, I've been waiting to hear if the thief that stole my green waste bin has fly tipped it.  I sold my house at auction and have moved down the road whilst clearing the house - my neighbours saw someone stop and steal my large green bin, which was full of my old freezer contents. 

greatcrested

There is a responsibility on home-owners/the public to ensure that contractors offering waste disposal are registered as waste carriers. And will dispose of your waste responsibly and legally.

In your position, I would pre-empt any come-back on yourself by reporting your contractor for fly-tipping. You (presumably) know who he is; you can prove you paid him; you have evidence he fly-tipped.

Report him.

https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping

ThatFeebGirl

couriervanman said:

How much did he charge you.......if very cheap you were asking for trouble 

I paid £70 which was the rough price most of the guys were charging, I just chose this specific guy because he could collect it sooner than the rest. We're wanting to do our garden this week so wanted rid ASAP!

ThatFeebGirl

macman said:

No one is going to lock you up., don't be over dramatic. The fact that you paid by bank transfer is a huge bonus, as it not only shows that you paid someone to take it, but also allows him to be very easily traced. So inform the LA, and give them his bank details-then it's up to them to prosecute if they wish.
What mystifies me is why you are paying someone to take away general household waste that your LA collects for free? And they are recycling cardboard again in most areas...

We haven't heard anything about our LA taking excess rubbish away yet. They have been emptying our bins and I know they're disposing of cardboard and general waste but our bins have been getting so full since lockdown so we thought it'd be best to put it in the boxes in the garden until we could afford for someone to take the waste to the tip!  

ThatFeebGirl

The first thing I did was report him to the LA. I'm calling Trading Standards on Tuesday too, to make sure he doesn't get away with it again...funny thing is, his car isn't taxed or MOT'd either so he's going to be getting into a lot of trouble

hazyjo

There's info online as to what you should request or look out for. This, for example, is what they advise in Kent:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/rubbish-and-recycling/advice-if-youre-booking-a-waste-collector

As above, it's possible you'll be fined £400. Will you come and update the thread once you know the outcome? Threads like are handy for future readers. Thanks! Good luck!