A man has been prosecuted after a covert camera captured his van being used to fly-tip twice in three months.
Michael Richards, 35, of Scredda, St Austell, previously pleaded guilty to allowing controlled waste to be unlawfully deposited from a vehicle under his control, contrary to Section 33(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, he appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court for sentencing.
The court heard that on two separate occasions, waste was deposited at Minorca Lane, Bugle.
Following issues with fly-tipping at Minorca Lane, Cornwall Council’s Community Protection team deployed covert surveillance cameras in the area to monitor and gather evidence.
The cameras captured a van registered to Richards being used to dispose of tyres and roofing tiles.
Richards claimed he allowed another man, known only as Pedro, to rent his vehicle on both occasions when the fly-tipping occurred. The Council’s Community Protection team were unable to trace Pedro.
Richards, who has a previous conviction for the same offence, was ordered to pay a total of £2,409 in fines and costs.
He was fined £649 and ordered to pay a £260 victim surcharge and £1,500 towards court costs.
Councillor Thalia Marrington, cabinet member responsible for Community Safety and Public Protection at Cornwall Council, said: "Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence that blights communities, harms the environment and places a financial burden on taxpayers and landowners who are left to pay for the waste to be cleared.
“Our Community Protection team investigates environmental crimes using a range of techniques, including surveillance. This enables us to identify offenders and bring them before the courts.
“I hope this prosecution acts a warning to others that we will not tolerate fly-tipping in Cornwall and we will hold offenders to account.”
Residents and businesses are reminded that if they pay for waste to be removed, they must ensure it is done by a registered waste carrier. You can check if someone is licenced on the Environment Agency website.
Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping should report it via the Cornwall Council website.
Press release issued on October 8, 2026