Salix Homes officer helps snare fly-tipper

A Salford man’s good deed turned bad left his furious father in law refusing to speak to him for two days.

Joseph Keith Morris of Beech Court, Salford, used his father in law’s van to help clear his sister’s garden – but then dumped the waste in a street half a mile away from his home.

When tracked down by council officials Mr Morris admitted the offence, said he had been stupid and that his family’s response to his actions had been “a bit like torture.”

Mr Morris, age 42,a self-employed painter, decorator and handyman pleaded guilty to one offence of dumping controlled waste contrary to S33(1) and S33(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 when he appeared at Salford and Manchester magistrates court on Tuesday June 11.

He was fined £530, ordered to pay £400 costs and a £53 victim surcharge.

The court heard that a Salix Homes officer contacted the council after seeing Mr Morris illegally tipping the waste from a white Vauxhall van around 11.30am on Friday June 29, 2018.

When traced and questioned by council officials he admitted the offence saying his sister had moved house and asked him to clear the back garden for it.

He used his father in law’s van to clear the rubbish and went to the tip but there was a queue.

“I was stupid enough to think fly tipping was the easiest way to empty the van. I don’t know what was going through my head that day, I should have waited but I didn’t. I’m really sorry I did do it and it certainly won’t be happening again,” he told officials.

He said his partner was angry and his father in law didn’t speak to him for two days which hurt because he was very close to the family.

Speaking after the case Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, thanked the officer for reporting the incident.

“People who fly tip not only spoil their city and anger other residents but also waste scarce public money and resources dealing with it. There is no reason and no excuse at all for not disposing of waste correctly, “he said.

“We welcome any evidence that can help us track down those responsible and take action against them.”

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at housing association Salix Homes, said: “Salix Homes takes fly-tipping extremely seriously so we’re glad our eagle-eyed officer was able to help bring this perpetrator to justice by reporting his actions to the council.

“Fly-tipping is a selfish crime which causes a real blight in our neighbourhoods, so we welcome the outcome of this court hearing and hope it will serve as a stark warning to those people who choose to dump rubbish in our communities.”

Salford City Council’s on-going Operation Pandora, cracking down on fly tippers, has now seen 62 offenders prosecuted for 85 fly tipping and litter offences, resulting in fines, costs and victim surcharges totalling nearly £68,000.