Council issues warning as man fined over waste offences
Steve Adams' van was linked to a fly-tipping incident in No Place
At a glance
Steven Adams from Washington sentenced over waste offences
The 39-year-old was linked to dumped rubbish in County Durham
The council says it will "always" take action against those responsible
It says fly-tipping incidents are decreasing across the area
- Published
A council has issued a warning after a man was sentenced for failing to assist with an investigation into fly-tipped waste.
Steven Adams, of Rowan Avenue in Washington, did not respond to Durham County Council's interview requests after rubbish was dumped last year.
His van had been linked to a mound of rubbish - including car wheels and household waste - in No Place, near Stanley.
The 39-year-old was given an eight-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.
He was also ordered to pay back £704 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154.
A case was brought against him when his Ford Transit was seen travelling slowly through New Kyo in February last year.
Neighbourhood wardens said they had seen a male "hanging out of the van" and peering into gardens, before they alerted the police.
When Adams was later stopped in Chester-le-Street, he was asked to provide proof of his licence to carry waste.
But when he could not provide the document within the allowed timescale, he was given two £300 fixed penalty notices, which he did not pay.
Days later, officers investigating the dumped waste in No Place found evidence which pointed towards Adams.
'Always take action'
An investigation found his van had been used to take waste from one of the addresses.
In court, he pleaded guilty to four waste offences, but his representative said Adams may have missed council letters because a relative was accepting his post.
After sentencing on Thursday, Ian Hoult, the council's neighbourhood protection manager, said the council would "always take action" against those connected or responsible to fly-tipping.
He said failing to respond to council requests, or ignoring pay fixed penalty notices, would "only land those people in even more trouble".
“In this case, our warden showed good instincts and their suspicions that this van and its occupants were engaging in unlawful activity were confirmed to be wholly accurate," he said.
"The fact they identified this while out on patrol shows why our proactive approach to tackling environmental crime is proving so effective."
The council previously said fly-tipping in the area was at its lowest level yet, but said it had increased the number of fines being issued.
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