Posted on: Wednesday 28 May 2025
A man has been fined for failing to help the council with its enquiries into a fly-tipping incident.
Sam Brooks, 35, from Caerphilly, was fined £1,100, ordered to pay costs incurred by the council of £1,189.48 and a surcharge of £440 by Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court.
He was prosecuted under Section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 for failing to assist with the council with its enquiries following a fly-tipping incident in Henllys lanes, in Cwmbran.
A member of the public had reported seeing a vehicle dumping a large quantity of building waste, including insulation and plasterboard cut offs, in February 2024.
An investigation identified the vehicle was registered to Mr Brooks and enquiries were made to try to clarify the circumstances, but he failed to respond.
Mr Brooks was issued with a legal notice under Section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 requiring him to attend an interview with council officers to assist with enquiries, which he also failed to do.
As a result, he was prosecuted for failing to comply with the requirements of the Section 108 notice he had received.
Mr Brooks failed to attend the Cwmbran Magistrates' Court hearing last month, but the offence was proven in his absence.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “Not complying with a Section 108 legal notice to assist an investigation is an offence and we will use our legal powers where appropriate to enable our officers to effectively execute their duties."