Fly Tipping on the Bromyard Downs

The enforcement case was brought against them by Herefordshire Council, and the two friends were found guilty of fly tipping two loads of waste which were found dumped on Bromyard Downs and in a layby near to Acton Green crossroads.

John Hodgkins, aged 40 of Redstone Lane, Stourport-On-Severn and Isaac Janes, aged 48, of Layman Walk, Stourport-On-Severn both pleaded guilty to two counts of fly tipping at Hereford Magistrates’ Court on March 9.

The pair received fines and costs totalling £1072 each.

At the hearing, the court heard how in October 2019, Hodgkins and Janes had been paid £400 to take away refurbishment waste from the former Poundstretcher store on Eign Gate, Hereford.

However, the waste was later found dumped in two large piles on Bromyard Downs and in a layby just off the Acton Green crossroads.

Although no evidence was found in the fly tipping, officers from Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection Team were able to obtain CCTV and ANPR images to trace the offenders.

David Hough, Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, said: “Not only is fly tipping an environmental hazard and a blight on our beautiful county, it can also cause accidents on the roads and injuries to livestock, wildlife and people. Every single year, tens of thousands of pounds of council tax payers’ money is spent on tackling fly tipping and unlawful waste disposal.

“For these reasons, we take improper waste disposal very seriously. Anyone found fly tipping will be prosecuted, with the maximum penalty being a £50,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment, so it really isn’t worth the risk.”