A woman from South Gloucestershire has been prosecuted for waste offences and ordered to pay £360 following a fly-tipping incident near North Street in Oldland Common.
Paige Allen of North Street, Oldland Common pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates Court on 18 August to failing in her duty of care when disposing of waste and failing to attend an interview in relation to the fly-tip. She was fined £180, ordered to pay £100 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.
On 14 November 2024, mixed household waste including children’s toys, clothing, and general rubbish was found dumped on a path running alongside the railway line just off North Street.
Officers from South Gloucestershire Council’s Environmental Enforcement team investigated the fly-tip and traced packaging found in the waste to a nearby address where Allen was living. Allen admitted asking her brother to dispose of the waste but claimed not to know how it had been disposed of.
Despite repeated attempts to arrange an interview with Allen, she failed to attend multiple appointments and did not respond to further contact from the council.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This successful prosecution sends a clear message that we will not tolerate fly-tipping in South Gloucestershire. Everyone has a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is properly disposed of, and failing to do so can result in a fine and criminal record.
“There are safe and legal ways to dispose of rubbish, including the council’s Sort-It Recycling Centres and bulky waste collection service.”