Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Fly tipper sentenced after being caught out on hidden camera

12 Aug 2022 2 minute read
Photo NPT Council

A man has been caught dumping controlled waste by cameras hidden at a fly tipping hotspot by Neath Port Talbot Council enforcement officers.

James Steven Daniel Gilheaney, 20, of Cae Garw, Kenfig Hill, Pyle, had pleaded not guilty at Swansea Magistrates Court before his trial on August 9th to illegally depositing controlled waste on land at Cae Garw Farm in February this year.

The dumped waste included flooring, insulation, rugs, a settee, glass patio doors and a cable and monitor.

Mr Gilheaney claimed he had been asked to ‘leave’ the waste at the location and to move it later.

At the conclusion of the trial, where still images and video footage from the cameras was shown, the District Judge said he found the defendant’s account incredible, before delivering his guilty verdict and sentencing Mr Gilheaney to a 12 month community order with 120 hours unpaid work, a £95 victim surcharge and £500 towards prosecution costs.

The District Judge also ordered the forfeiture of the transit van used to commit the offence and additionally disqualified Mr Gilheaney from driving for 12 months.

The court heard that cameras were placed in the area near Cae Garw, known to be used regularly for dumping waste, which was often then set alight.

When the recorded footage was later examined, officers identified Mr Gilheaney depositing the waste from the vehicle.

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “I’d like to thank our officers for their painstaking work in this case.

“Fly-tipping is illegal and seriously damages our environment which is why I would appeal to anyone who sees fly-tipping to report it.”

Terri Harrison (Dyfed Powys Police Sergeant, seconded to the Arson Reduction team Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service) added: “Every year there are reports of hundreds of refuse fires and we see a very clear and obvious link between refuse fires and fly tipping.

“Waste crime has a real adverse impact on the quality of life for those affected by the illegal activities.  It damages our environment, community and economy.

“Positive outcomes such as this send a clear message that we all work closely together and these activities will not be tolerated.”


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Peter Cuthbert
Peter Cuthbert
1 year ago

Good to see this chap has been nicked and sentenced. All that sort of stuff could have been taken to the Council Waste Transfer station and much of it re-cycled. Just a case of greed really as he was not willing to pay the trade waste fees.

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.