A SALFORD man has pled guilty to the illegal depositing of controlled waste under Section 33 of the Environmental Health Act 1990. The court has ordered Mr Mark Patrick Beech, to pay a fine of £300, which was reduced to £200 due to his early admission of guilt. Additionally, he must cover costs amounting to £120 and a victim surcharge of £80, leading to a total penalty of £400. The case highlights the enforcement of Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which strictly prohibits the deposit of controlled waste on land without a valid waste management license. Under Section 33(5) of the same act, if controlled waste is transported and deposited using a motor vehicle, the individual in control or with the ability to control the vehicle is regarded as knowingly causing the waste to be deposited, regardless of whether explicit instructions were given. The council is not required to identify the depositor for the court to establish the criminal offence. On Sunday, November 20, 2022, an officer from Salford City Council's Public Space CCTV team captured footage of the driver of a white Ford Transit illegally disposing of controlled waste on the land in Harding Street at around 4:30pm, approximately a 30 second drive from the Cobden Street Recycling Centre . The waste in question was identified as a double mattress. Aside from the breach of regulations, the presence of the illegally deposited controlled waste presented a severe fire hazard to the nearby overhead railway line and electricity substation. In a subsequent interview held on Thursday, January 12, 2023, an officer from the Council's Regulatory Services (Environmental Crime Investigations) team conducted questioning under caution with Mr. Beech. During the interview, Mr Beech confirmed he was the registered keeper of the vehicle in question and admitted to being the driver at the time of the incident. Furthermore, he acknowledged his role in the illegal deposit of the controlled waste on the land. Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Environment, Neighbourhoods, Sports and Leisure, said: "We are pleased with the outcome of this case, as it reinforces our commitment to maintaining a clean and sustainable environment in Salford. The illegal deposit of controlled waste is a serious offence that poses risks to public safety and the ecosystem. We hope that the penalty serves as a strong deterrent, sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated in our city. Salford City Council remains steadfast in our efforts to enforce environmental regulations and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions." Salford City Council is committed to upholding environmental standards and ensuring the responsible management of waste. In this case, the prosecution and subsequent penalty serve as a reminder of the consequences that individuals will face for unlawfully disposing of waste.
