Leeds builder given suspended sentence for fly-tipping

Dixon was also convicted of fly-tipping in 2010

A builder who dumped waste in a "rat-infested" bin yard in Leeds has been given a suspended prison sentence.

David Dixon, 41, was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment suspended for six months and ordered to pay £145 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154 when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court.

Dixon, of Nansen Grove, Bramley was also convicted of fly-tipping in 2010.

He was prosecuted by Leeds City Council after a local resident filmed him illegally dumping waste from his van.

The council's executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space Mohammed Rafique said the authority had a "zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime".

"I hope this particular prosecution is a warning to anyone thinking about fly tipping their business waste," he added.

Dixon was said to have been un-cooperative with the investigation and did not attend court on several occasions.

During the investigation it was found he did not hold a waste carrier licence to transport waste as part of his business.

The bin yard used to dump and store the waste, in Nansen Grove, was also infested with rats, the council spokesperson added.

As part of his defence, Dixon said the yard was owned by his sister and he was allowed to dump waste there.

However, council environmental enforcement officers found there was no environmental permit or exemption allowing the depositing and storage of waste there.

They also found that the bin yard did not belong to his sister.

A council spokesperson said their crackdown on fly-tipping had resulted in a 15% reduction in reports of the offence received during 2022/23, compared to an overall national reduction of 1%.