Fines for not helping with fly-tipping investigations

Waste was dumped at Hinton Manor Lane in Horndean

Two residents have been fined for refusing to help a council with fly-tipping investigations.

They were ordered to pay the fines for not helping East Hampshire District Council with inquiries into two incidents of fly-tipping in Horndean.

The council said: "We take fly-tipping seriously and we expect residents to do the same".

It made clear that even if residents are not responsible for dumping the waste, if they withhold information, they could end up in court.

'A blight on our beautiful countryside'

At Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on 18 October, Thanh Biu, of Eastleigh, was fined £780 after failing to provide information to help an investigation into a fly-tip on Hinton Manor Lane in August 2023.

David Buceanu, of Portsmouth, was fined £1766 after failing to provide information relating to a fly-tip on Slant Hill in August 2022.

Councillor Tony Costigan, portfolio holder for property, said the pair refused to give the council information that would help it to find the fly-tippers.

He said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our beautiful countryside.

“It is unsightly, polluting and costs the tax payer thousands to clear. We absolutely do not tolerate it and our district team will always examine fly-tips to see if those responsible can be identified.

“If you are asked to provide information as part of the investigation you can be compelled by law to co-operate."