Cold caller fly tipper in court for illegally dumping waste in Ilfracombe

A woman from Cambridgeshire has been fined at court for her role in an incident of fly-tipping at Torrs Park in Ilfracombe, following a successful investigation and prosecution by North Devon Council.

Roxanne Pitteway, from Brampton, Huntingdon, appeared at Barnstaple Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 3, where she pleaded guilty to two fly-tipping offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to her duty of care for waste disposal.

Council officers launched an investigation following a report of dumped spray foam loft insulation at Torrs Park between August 15-16 last year.

The waste was found by officers to be partially blocking the public footpath and car parking area.

After the waste was collected by council officers, it was traced back to work carried out at an address in the town by Insulation Experts Ltd, of which Ms Pitteway was a director.

The householder had accepted the work following a cold call and paid £6,000 for works to be carried out professionally.

Ms Pitteway was ordered to pay a total of £2,200, comprising £500 in fines for the offences, a victim surcharge of £200 and £1,500 for costs.

Further proceedings have been issued for another party believed to be connected with the incident.

Above: Credit: NDC

Councillor Julie Hunt, lead member for waste and recycling at North Devon Council, said: “Fly-tipping is quite simply unacceptable and it is a matter we take very seriously. My thanks go to the officers who have worked so hard to identify those responsible for this incident and hold them to account.

“We all have a role to play in keeping North Devon clean and we rely on the public to support us with reports and evidence of fly-tipping. If you employ someone to take your waste away, always check they have a proper waste carriers’ licence and take their name, address and vehicle details.”

Prosecution for dumping waste can result in fines of up to £50,000 at a magistrates' court, or an unlimited fine at higher courts and up to five years in prison. Vehicles used in offences can also be seized and crushed.

Residents are encouraged to report fly-tipping or other environmental offences on the council's website at https://www.northdevon.gov.uk/environment/flytipping-and-waste-crime , where there is more guidance about fly-tipping and how to ensure you choose a registered waste carrier.