Two men have received fines for dumping a toilet and other waste at a beauty spot in New Mill.

Connor Evans, 25, of Manorstead, Skelmanthorpe, and Jake Andrews, 22, of Northfield Lane, Highburton, both admitted fly-tipping following an investigation by Kirklees Council.

In a statement Kirklees Council said it received reports of waste dumped at the entrance to the local beauty spot, and former quarry, on Scar Hole Road in New Mill in January 2020.

Officers attended the scene where they found a toilet, fridge and cardboard packaging.

Details on the packaging led officers to an address in Skelmanthorpe where the resident told them she had recently renovated her bathroom. Officers went on to discover the resident’s son, Evans, and his friend Andrews, had offered to dispose of the rubbish created by the renovation in a skip that Andrews had access to.

However, they had in fact taken the rubbish and dumped it on the private land before heading out for a social evening.

Appearing before Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on February 10, Evans and Andrews both pleaded guilty to one count of fly-tipping, contravening Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

They were each handed a fine of £200, plus a victim surcharge of £32, and ordered to pay costs of £345.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court

Clr Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Fly-tipping demonstrates a lack of respect for our environment, residents and wildlife. It turns our beauty spots into eye-sores and no-one wants that.

“The fines these men have received should act as a warning to others, it’s just not worth fly-tipping. There are responsible, and also much cheaper, ways of getting rid of rubbish. Take it to a household recycling centre, or ask the council or a reputable waste collection company to remove your waste for you.

“It’s sure to be a more reasonable price than a court appearance and possibility of a fine. My thanks goes to residents who report fly-tipping to the council and continue to play an important part in helping us to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.

“We use all resources available to us to investigate fly-tipping reports, many of which lead to successful outcomes in the courts.”

For details of how to dispose of bulky waste responsibly, go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/bulkywaste

To report fly-tipping in Kirklees go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/flytipping