Women fined over rubbish dumping

Haley Bunney, 23, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates Court last week to face a charge of fly-tipping after being spotted dumping household waste in the gardens of empty properties in Poplar Avenue, Goldthorpe.

Council officers then investigated and found evidence in the bags of rubbish which led to another property on Poplar Avenue.

Bunney, of Carlton Street, Grimethorpe, pleaded guilty and was fined £100, as well as costs of more than £200.

Investigators then interviewed the householder at Poplar Avenue to find out how waste from the address had come to be dumped by Bunney.

Tracey Beeley, 46, admitted paying Bunney to take her waste away for her, and was charged with failing to check that Bunney was licensed to do so.

Magistrates gave her a conditional discharge for six months and also ordered to pay £196.95 towards the council’s costs.

Barnsley Council’s cabinet member for development, environment and culture, Coun Roy Miller, said:

“Fly-tipping is a serious environmental offence. It makes areas look run down and uncared for, which can deter investment.

“It can be hazardous to health and a fire risk, and can attract more waste to an area.

“In this case the waste was dumped at empty privately-owned properties on the same street.

“Where evidence leads to the persons responsible for fly tipping we will always pursue the matter through the courts, in the hope that this will send out a clear message that this sort of irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We would like to thank the public for reporting this to us and would encourage anyone who witnesses fly tipping to report it to Barnsley Council on 01226 772468.”