A SOLIHULL man has been ordered to pay £6,008 by Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after being found guilty of fly-tipping in Billesley.
Adnan Qazi, aged 30, of Berkeley Road in Solihull, was found to be responsible for dumping rubbish, including doors, carpets, rugs, mattresses, bed bases, a chair, fridge and cardboard boxes as well as general household rubbish from a van onto land at Scribers Lane on April 15 last year.
The incident, which saw the rubbish dumped on a no-through road leading into Trittiford Mill Park, was caught on CCTV and prosecuted under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
In the footage seen by Magistrates on Wednesday (February 5), three men were seen dumping the rubbish and enquiries led to a rental van, which had been hired by Qazi.
Qazi, who pleaded not guilty at court, claimed that he was unaware of the incident because he had lent the van to an acquaintance, but further enquiries were not able to trace the alleged acquaintance that Qazi had identified. As such, Qazi was therefore held ultimately responsible for the rubbish dumping.
Qazi was fined a total of £2,769, ordered to pay £360 compensation for the cost of clearing the rubbish, a victim surcharge of £170 and prosecution costs of £2,709.
Coun John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks, said: “Trittiford Mill Park is an important wildlife habitat and has nesting sites for all sorts of birds, including migratory species from across the world and is also a valued community resource for residents of all ages. There is even an active allotment club directly opposite the area where the dumping took place.
“Anti-social and criminal behaviour such as this damages our much-loved parks and open spaces and will not be tolerated.
“This individual has absolutely no regard for Birmingham’s environment, so I am delighted we have secured another conviction that underlines our commitment to bring fly-tippers to justice.”
The council can only prosecute when credible evidence, that meets the criminal burden of proof, is available. Anyone with information on any cases of fly-tipping is urged to contact the council at www.birmingham.gov.uk/flytipping.
