A Luton man has been fined £600 and ordered to pay an extra £603 in costs after an investigation by Central Bedfordshire Council linked him to waste found fly-tipped in a field in Slip End, Bedfordshire, which had to be cleared at the Council’s expense.
Chandran Vinothkanth, 33, of Hillcrest Avenue, was charged under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 after it was found that he had passed commercial waste to two unknown individuals, failing to check that they were properly licensed to take the waste, constituting a breach of duty of care. Mr. Vinothkanth pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay a £600 fine along with prosecution costs of £603.37 and a victim’s surcharge of £60.
When the fly-tipped waste was reported on 20 August 2013 the waste was linked to Family Choice Mini Market at 38-40 Russell Street, Luton, which Mr. Vinothkanth manages.
The shop had accumulated excess waste and Mr. Vinothkanth handed that waste to unknown individuals who travelled around in a van and who promised to dispose of the waste for £60. Unfortunately, Mr Vinothkanth was unable to provide those individuals’ names or their vehicle registration number, so they could not be traced.
Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Community Services, said: “We will not tolerate fly-tipping in Central Bedfordshire, or any failure to properly dispose of waste, whether that waste is commercial or domestic. This case illustrates the importance of taking every measure to make sure your rubbish is disposed of in the correct way.
“Fly-tipping is a thoughtless practice that not only leaves unsightly piles of rubbish on public or private land but can also cause serious damage to the environment and prove dangerous to children or animals. Fly-tipped waste may contain all manner of harmful or poisonous materials.
“You can find more information on our Waste and Recycling Services or report an incidence of fly-tipping 0300 300 8302, or emailing customers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.”