Basingstoke Community Forum

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@admin15 hours ago

Man sentenced for ‘disgusting’ fly-tip

A man who fly-tipped enough waste to block a road in a rural area of Basingstoke and Deane has been given a suspended prison sentence plus rehabilitation activity days and unpaid work.

Mark Henry Bates of Mansell Close, Windsor, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday 10 January, having pleaded guilty to the fly-tipping offence at an earlier hearing held in September last year.

During this hearing, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who brought the prosecution, told the court that Mr Bates had been employed by a Kempshott resident to remove and dispose of waste following a renovation project.

The waste was later found dumped four miles away, in Well Close, Wootton St Lawrence, on Sunday 26 February 2023. The waste blocked Well Close and prevented a resident from leaving their property.

Sentencing Mr Bates to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 10 rehabilitation activity days and 80 hours of unpaid work, the district judge described the offence as “disgusting behaviour“. He also ordered Mr. Bates to pay clean-up costs of £634 and a contribution to the costs of the prosecution of £600.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents’ Services Cllr Laura James said: “Fly-tipping of this nature is inexcusable. We are prepared to take tough action on fly-tipping where it is appropriate and this sentence proves the courts support this approach.

“This fly-tip blocked an entire access road. This not only prevented residents from getting to and from their homes but also could have prevented access for the emergency services, which could have had devasting consequences.

“It is extremely costly to clear fly-tipping but the cost is not just financial, it impacts our environment, our wildlife and our communities."

Cllr James added: “This case highlights why it is so important for people who are arranging for waste to be removed from their property need to check the waste removal company is licensed and can provide the correct paperwork."