Man fined for dumping waste after resident tip-off in Merton

Simon O’Donnell, 31, was found guilty of his part in the illegal dumping of mixed waste by a number of individuals of mixed waste.

It comes after a Merton resident reported a group of travellers occupying private land at West Barnes Lane, which prompted an investigation by the Environment Agency.

The court heard how in May 2018 a group of men, women and children moved onto the site with caravans and trailers. They subsequently used the space as a dumping ground for illegal waste.

A resident reported that the men on the site removed fencing to access land to dump builder’s waste which included; disused furniture, wood, plaster, used oil, metal, plastics and sacks of rubble.

Photographs the resident took showed O’Donnell using a Ford Transit drop-side van to deposit waste on May 29, 2018.

Waste dumped at Raynes Park

The court heard how the travellers left the site after approximately a week and left behind a significant quantity of waste.

The clear-up and associated costs to the landowner totalled in excess of £100,000.

In his sentencing remarks, Deputy District Judge Bisgrove described the unlawful depositing of waste as: "A selfish, lazy and inconsiderate way of earning a living."

Daniel Kettridge, Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency, said: "We hope that today’s ruling sends out a strong message that we will search out and prosecute anyone found to be dumping waste illegally.

"The operation of a waste site without regard for the environment and the law have the potential to harm our natural resources.

"It can also blight communities and undermine the legitimate businesses that do follow the rules.

"Our role is to protect the environment for people and wildlife, so we won’t hesitate to take action against those who put it risk. And to businesses flouting the rules our message is clear: you won’t get away with it."

O’Donnell was also ordered to pay £500 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.