Cheshire residents prosecuted for failing to dispose of waste responsibly

Two Chester residents have been successfully prosecuted after failing to ensure their household waste was disposed of legally and responsibly.

Gavin Roebuck (38), of 33 Fairford Road in Chester, and Nicola Ray (36), of 10 Meynell Place in Blacon, were both sentenced at court on 20th May 2026, having pleaded guilty to their offences.

Both defendants breached their legal duty of care in relation to their household waste, contrary to Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Nicola Ray told the court she had paid £100 to have waste removed but was unable to provide further details about the company involved. She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Gavin Roebuck also stated he had paid £100 to a third party to remove waste but was unable to provide further details. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

The offences were identified following investigations by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Protection service, and the cases were prosecuted by the Council’s legal team.

Both defendants were given the opportunity to engage with investigators but chose not to do so, and subsequently failed to pay the fixed penalty notices issued to them.

Householders have a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is passed on to an authorised person and disposed of correctly.

Failing to carry out these checks can result in waste being dumped illegally, causing environmental harm and impacting local communities.

These cases highlight that the Council will take enforcement action where there is sufficient evidence that this duty of care has not been met.

Residents are reminded to:

• Check that anyone taking their waste away is a registered waste carrier on the GOV.UK website.
• Ask for details of where the waste will be taken.
• Keep a record or receipt of the transaction.

Suspected fly-tipping can be reported via the Council’s website.

The Council will continue to work with partners to tackle environmental crime and protect local communities.

Pictured - An example of the dumped waste.