MP hails decision on ‘flytipping’ recycler

A YORKSHIRE MP has welcomed a “common-sense” decision to drop legal proceedings against a woman accused of flytipping for trying to recycle some of her father’s old clothes.

Hull Council rang Greba Lilly yesterday to say it was taking no further action, after she attended a formal interview with officials from the authority.

The school teaching assistant, who is a keen recycler, was called in by Hull Council after putting three bags containing her father’s clothes and curtains on the ground next to overbrimming charity-owned bins outside a Hull supermarket.

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She had been warned in a letter of an “unlimited” fine and that she could face arrest if she did not attend the recorded interview.

Mrs Lilly, of Howdale Road in the city, had not been sleeping because of worry and said she has lost half a stone through stress.

“They phoned me to tell me they were taking no further action,” she said.

“I hope some positive action will come from this – if you are going to recyle and reuse you need to know what the risks are.”

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Her MP Karl Turner, who formerly worked as a lawyer, had offered to represent her for free had it got to court, claiming the law was being misapplied in her case.

He said: “I am delighted the council has taken a commonsense decision. They have looked at it sensibly.”

Council leader Steve Brady also said it was the right decision by officers at the environmental crime unit. “They had to do an investigation because the supermarket rang up and complained, so we had to follow it up. We have a duty to do that.

“I felt from the off she definitely wasn’t a flytipper – she was just trying to do some good.”