A Northumberland man has been fined for fly-tipping his household waste illegally in Queen Street, Ashington following an investigation by Northumberland County Council. 
 

James Gordon, 46, of Queen Street, Ashington, Northumberland pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court on the morning of trial on Thursday 21st September 2023. He fly-tipped his household waste in the rear lane of Queen Street, Ashington after he moved house from the Widdrington area.  

He was sentenced to a fine of £500 reduced to £450 for a guilty plea for the offence, ordered to pay £450 in costs which was a total financial penalty of £900 plus a victim surcharge.  
 

During September 2020 Northumberland County Council received reports that a large amount of household waste had been fly-tipped on the rear lane at Queen Street, Ashington. 
 

Officers from the council’s Environmental Enforcement Team went to investigate and had it removed from the area. 

Gordon, who was identified as the culprit did not assist NCC at all during the process but suggested that it was the council’s job to remove his waste that he had dumped and was abusive to the officer who attended his address. 
 

Gordon has continually refused to attend various Court appointments and was eventually arrested on warrant for failing to attend. He then pleaded not guilty and elected Crown Court which resulted in the long delay and his eventual appearance at the Crown Court for trial.    
 

Northumberland County Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet member for Looking After our Communities said: 

“No matter what the waste, or the reasons behind it, fly-tipping is a very serious offence because of the damage it causes to the environment, as well as the cost to the taxpayer of clearing and disposing of the waste.  
 

“We will always rigorously pursue offenders to bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes. This latest successful prosecution is the result of the council’s ongoing zero tolerance approach to fly tipping.”   
 

Councillor Stewart added: “It’s important to remember that the obligation to ensure that waste is disposed of lawfully falls on whoever produces the waste. As the householder, if you use an unlicensed waste carrier who illegally dumps your waste, both you and the carrier are liable to receive a FPN Charge and even face prosecution.” 

 

Northumberland residents are urged to only use waste carriers that have a waste carriers licence issued by the Environment Agency and should ask to see this before agreeing to any collection.
  

They are also advised to be wary of businesses that only operate through social media, those that do not have a landline phone number or business address or anyone coming to your door offering to remove rubbish on the cheap. 

How to check a waste carrier is reputable  

Visit the Environment Agency's waste carrier register nland.cc/waste and enter the business name or, search for licensed waste operators near you on the public registers pages of the website.