Fly-tipping Walsall roofer caught on camera three times
A fly-tipper was caught on camera illegally dumping rubbish in the same Walsall street on three separate occasions.
Self-employed roofer Aaron Elvis Higgins brazenly left waste from his business in Goscote Lodge Crescent – just a few minutes drive from his own home in Masefield Road, Blakenall.
But little did the 27 year old know his fly-tipping was all being recorded on camera with the footage used in his prosecution. He has now been left with a court bill of £3,530.
The father of four had previously pleaded guilty to three separate offences of fly tipping van loads of items at Goscote Lodge Crescent on April 12, April 13 and July 1 in 2016.
At Wolverhampton Magistrates Court Higgins accepted his actions were deliberate and claimed the offences were committed after his business slowed and he could not afford to dispose of his waste properly.
The street he dumped the rubbish in is poised to be transformed into a new housing estate.
Walsall Council’s planning committee last month unanimously approved Walsall Housing Group’s application to build 407 homes on disused land off Goscote Lodge Crescent.
Higgins was ordered to pay £700 for each of the three offences and £660 toward clean-up costs, £300 officer investigation costs, £400 legal costs and a £70 victim surcharge, totalling £3530. He was given 14 days to pay.
Higgins, who has no prior convictions for fly tipping, was described as a “hardworking” family man and father of four who was “ashamed of his actions”.
Lorraine Boothman, regulatory services manager for Walsall Council, said: “Fly-tipping is a crime and one which Walsall Council takes very seriously indeed.
"Fly-tipping costs the council hundreds of thousands of pounds each year, money that could be far better spent on other important services.
"The community is sick of it. This conviction and others sends a clear message to fly tippers. Do not expect leniency – you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted.”
Walsall Council recently agreed to impose the highest possible fines after it was revealed fly-tipping and littering costs the authority up to £1 million every year.
