Cameras secure another successful conviction for a fly-tipping offence
Winchester City Council has achieved a second successful camera-based prosecution for a fly-tipping offence in as many months.
A Waterlooville man has been convicted of a fly-tipping offence after an incident was captured on a hidden camera in a country lane in Owslebury in the Winchester district in July 2023.
Gary Raymond Lamont, 52 years-old and a resident of Wagtail Road in Waterlooville, pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Tuesday 17 September 2024.
The court heard that, on the morning of Tuesday 18 July 2023, a surveillance camera installed as part of a joint operation by Winchester City Council and Swanmore Parish Council captured images of the offence taking place in Mare Lane, Owslebury.
Mr Lamont was seen dragging a one tonne builder’s bag out of the rear of a small Mercedes van and then returning to the van with an empty bag. A pile of green waste was subsequently discovered dumped in the undergrowth.
Magistrates sentenced Mr Lamont to a fine of £866 and ordered him to pay full prosecution costs of £1,247.27, a compensation order for clearance costs of £90 and a victim surcharge of £346, making a total to pay of £2,549.27.
Winchester City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance Cllr Neil Cutler said: “Winchester City Council has a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping across our district as this criminal behaviour causes huge damage to our local communities, wildlife and the environment. This is another case where footage from one of our hidden surveillance cameras has been instrumental in securing a conviction.
“We also rely on reports from the public to prosecute – I’d encourage anyone who witnesses or captures footage of someone dumping waste illegally in our district to report it.”
Reports of fly-tipping can be made on the council’s website at www.winchester.gov.uk/report, via the Your Winchester app or by calling 0300 300 0013.