TWO FLY-TIPPERS who admitted to dumping waste across Solihull have been sentenced.
It comes after they were caught by Warwickshire Police emptying building site waste from a van onto a private farm track in Meriden in February.
Ionut Bancunlea of Claremont Road in Smethwick and Adrian Bivolaru, 34 of Parkhill Road in Smethwick had been blocked in by the land owners before police arrived and ordered the pair to load the waste back into their vehicles.
The van was then seized by police.
A social media post from the Operational Patrol Unit showed pictures from the cleanup and led to other fly tipping offences being reported and linked to Bancunlea and Bivolaru.
The officers were also contacted by Solihull Council’s Regulatory Services Team, who recognised the men as having been involved in offences.
The offences that led to these the pair being charged were carried out on Fen End Road in Fen End, Solihull between 23 and 25 June 2023 and in September 2023, Packington Lane in Maxstoke in November 2023 and on Maxstoke Lane in Meriden in February 2024.
The pair pleaded guilty to charges of depositing waste without a permit at Leamington Spa Magistrates Court.
Bancunlea was given a community order with a 12-month 150-hour unpaid work requirement and ten days of rehabilitation activities.
The 33-year-old was also ordered to pay compensation amounting to £1,565.84 as well as a victims’ surcharge of £114 and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Bivolaru was given a community order with a 12-month 80-hour unpaid work requirement and ten days of rehabilitation activities.
The 34-year-old has been ordered to pay £200 worth of compensation, as well as £114 victims’ surcharge and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Sgt Simms of the Rural Crime Team at Warwickshire Police said: “We are very happy that the OPU were quick to assist landowners and able to catch them in the act on this occasion, and we share in the satisfaction that Banunclea and Bivolaru were made to clean up at least one of their messes.
“I’m extremely pleased that the Rural Crime Team (who progressed the investigation with assistance from Solihull Council and concerned members of public) have seen these offenders being suitably punished.”
A Solihull Council spokesperson said: “In Solihull, we take pride in our community. Protecting and enhancing our natural environment has always been a priority and it is important to keep it safe and pleasant for residents to live in.
“Solihull Council works hard to ensure the areas are clean and well-maintained. We’re pleased that this fine and community order has been issued and that fly-tipping cases are taken seriously.”
