A WOMAN who failed to ensure her waste was properly disposed of has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling more than £700.
Rebecca Kellard, 20, of St Lawrence Road, Evesham, pleaded guilty to breaching section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on April 2.
Wychavon District Council decided to prosecute Kellard after finding a large amount of waste dumped at a site in Cheltenham Road, Sedgeberrow in August last year following a call from a member of the public.
Amongst the rubbish were eight black bin bags containing general household waste along with fencing, hedge cuttings and about 30 household bricks.
Paperwork with Kellard’s name and address on led officers to her home.
When interviewed she said she had paid someone £150 some time ago to remove the waste, who she had found after responding to a flyer pushed through her door.
Although Kellard did not dump the waste, she failed to ensure the person she asked to take it away was properly licensed to do so and therefore had breached the duty of care placed on residents under the act.
In mitigation Kellard, who represented herself in court, said she had obtained paperwork from the person who took her rubbish away but she had been unable to find it.
Kellard was fined £75, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £630, which she will repay out of her benefits at £5 per week.
Residents can visit www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier to find companies and traders licensed to carry waste.
Anyone unable to take rubbish to a household waste site themselves can use the bulky waste collection service operated by Wychavon’s contractor.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/bulkywaste for more information.
