Roger Gough

Saturday 14 September 2013

Sentencing in Shoreham fly-tipping case

I reported some time ago (post of 22 March) that an alleged fly-tipper was due to be brought to court over offences committed in Bromley and Kent, the latter chiefly in parts of Shoreham Parish.

Mr Jason Newnham, owner of the waste business JJ Clearances, pleaded guilty to 13 fly-tipping offences at Bromley Magistrates Court on 24 July and was sentenced on 6 August to 240 hours of unpaid community work and to pay compensation and clean up costs of £6,030. Mr Newnham stated that the waste was tipped by his son without his knowledge, but prosecutors pointed out that, whatever the truth of this might or might not be, Mr Newnham was liable under law for his son's actions.

The District Judge told Mr Newnham that he was lucky to escape a custodial sentence, and that this was only because of the view taken by the previous bench. In ordering costs and compensation the Judge said that it should not be left up to the council tax payers of Bromley and Kent to bear the costs of Mr Newnham's offences.. The £6,030 should come from Mr Newnham, even if it took him several years to pay.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation by Bromley’s Public Protection and Street and Environment Departments, and KCC's Environmental Enforcement Team. Their efforts and excellent joint working have been rewarded with success.

You can find an article in KOS Media on the sentencing, and incorporating comments from my colleague David Brazier, whose portfolio includes responsibility for waste issues, here.



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