TWO COVENTRY men have been ordered to pay £830 each after they were caught fly-tipping by a police helicopter.
Alex Donal, of Boswell Drive, and Carl Harridence, of Bronte Walk. were seen depositing a transit van load of waste, including black bags and cardboard boxes containing soil, metal, and ceramics onto rural wooded land at Burrow Hill Lane, Corley, on November 19, 2021.
A police helicopter had been deployed in the area at the time, on an unrelated matter, and the technical flight operator observed a stationary van in the wooded area and recorded the incident on the aircraft’s video and thermal imaging cameras.
There was a police vehicle close by which attended within two minutes and pulled in front of the van.
At this stage the van reversed, and the two men got out and started to put the waste back in the van.
The case was brought by North Warwickshire Borough Council and last week, after the court took into account everything the defendants had to say, it concluded it was a deliberate act with no clear up costs.
After giving credit for early guilty pleas, the court fined each of the men £500 with £125 legal costs, £155 investigation costs and a £50 victim surcharge.
North Warwickshire Borough Council leader, Coun David Wright, said the authority was delighted with the verdict which was timely as it came during a partnership week of action being held to combat fly-tipping.
“We are very grateful to the police officers involved in this case – this outcome will hopefully come as a stark warning to those who are considering fly-tipping and highlight that the council investigates all reports and will not hesitate to prosecute.”
