A fly-tipper drove more than 30 miles from Accrington to dump a huge pile of garden waste.
John Buckland was captured on CCTV calmly reversing a tipper truck then activating the tipper’s mechanism to send tree branches and cuttings tumbling out.
The 45-year-old, who drove from Accrington to the site off Eccles New Road, near Weaste, Salford, was caught as part of a hard-hitting new crackdown on illegal fly-tipping.
But council bosses have hit out at a fine of £73 imposed by magistrates after he pleaded guilty to illegally dumping waste on land contrary to Environmental Protection Act. They said the sum ‘sends out entirely the wrong message to people who think they can use streets as a rubbish bin’.
Magistrates were told that Buckland, of Altham caravan site, Whinney Hill Road, Accrington, had been paid £20 to clear a neighbour’s garden.
He is seen on the footage walking around the back of the truck and opening up the tailgate on September 27 last year.
The CCTV then shows the truck back up towards metal gates before the tipper mechanism activates, sending branches and tree cuttings pouring out. He then jumps back into the driver’s seat and calmly drives off.
The court heard that Salford council receives 283 reports of fly-tipping every month - and it costs around £140,000 in costs to combat and clean-up. The crackdown - codenamed Operation Pandora - has been launched by the council’s environmental department and police to tackle the nuisance.
Buckland was fined £73 with a £20 victim impact surcharge and ordered to pay £500 costs.
He was snared after an investigation when the truck’s registration plate was traced.
The court heard that Buckland ‘apologises profusely’ and it was a ‘one-off incident’.
But Coun Gena Merrett, assistant mayor and spokesperson for housing and environment on Salford council, said: “Every pound we spend clearing up after fly tippers is a pound which could be better spent on essential services.”
Speaking after the case she added: “I find it impossible to believe anyone would drive 30 miles to dump tree cuttings. I’m also very disappointed at the fine.
“I think it sends out entirely the wrong message to people who think they can use our streets as a rubbish bin.”
