Council prosecutes Ellesmere Port man linked to fly-tipped waste in Sutton Way

An Ellesmere Port man has been ordered to pay a total of £1,232 after being prosecuted by Cheshire West and Chester Council for a fly-tipping offence.

William Hunt (35), of Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to section 34 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990, in that he failed to comply with his duty to ensure that household waste was disposed of appropriately.

The waste was found in Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port in April 2023.

The Council’s Public Protection team investigated the waste, which included, cat litter, food packaging, glass bottles, cardboard packaging, green waste and a double mattress with bedding, and traced it to Mr Hunt’s address in Sutton Way.  Mr Hunt was invited for interview by officers twice but failed to attend on both occasions.

A fixed penalty notice issued to him was also not paid, so the Council commenced a prosecution. When Mr Hunt failed to attend court on 19 June 2024, the prosecutor applied for an arrest warrant not backed for bail. 

Mr Hunt was arrested on 22 June and in accordance with the warrant was required to attend court on 17 July 2024.  He pleaded guilty and Chester Magistrates’ Court imposed fines and costs totalling £1,232.

Councillor Christine Warner, Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities said:

“We all have a duty to ensure our waste is disposed of properly and in this case the resident was prosecuted for breaching his duty of care.

“You could also be liable to prosecution, if you hand your waste over to someone who is not licensed to dispose of waste and who then dumps it illegally. Always check if the person to whom you’re handing your waste has an appropriate licence.

“Please help us tackle this problem and report inconsiderate fly-tippers, who still think they can dispose of rubbish wherever they want causing problems for residents and draining Council services.”

If you discover illegal tipping of waste or see it being tipped, report it 24 hours a day on the Council’s website.