A SERIAL fly-tipper has been handed a suspended prison sentence after dumping fridges, tyres and loads more rubbish in a wood in Herefordshire.

In a sentencing hearing at Hereford Magistrates court, Zackery Biddle was handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years for mass fly-tipping on Herefordshire Council land at Openfields caravan site in Bromyard.

The court heard how in December 2021, officers from Herefordshire Council’s Community Protection team discovered masses of fly tipped waste in the Woodland at Openfields, just yards from Biddle’s home address, after receiving a tip off.

Waste of all types was found, including large quantity of tyres, fridges, freezers, construction waste, furniture, canisters, commercial and general household waste.

Witnesses had responded to waste removal services advertised on Facebook advertised under different profile names. Officers conducted a long and thorough investigation and it was found that the Facebook profiles in question had been created and verified by phone numbers belonging to Biddle, who had profited by collecting large quantities of waste in exchange for cash payments and dumping it in the woodland at Openfields.

This was not the first time Biddle had been found guilty of fly-tipping, but the latest offence is one of the largest fly-tipping incidents that officers of the community protection team have ever encountered.

Biddle pleaded guilty to multiple charges of fly-tipping and as well as the suspended prison sentence, he was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and required to attend 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity.

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Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulation and Technical Services at Herefordshire Council said: “This sends out a clear message that fly tipping will not be tolerated and once it has been discovered, we will find those responsible and take action. This prosecution was made possible by the people who reported their concerns. It is a fantastic result for residents across the County, bringing a repeated fly tipper to justice as we continue to crack down on environmental crime. We would urge anyone who suspects fly-tipping to report it to the council.”

The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is a £50,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment.

The Community Protection Team regularly carry out spot checks on waste carriers and will investigate unlawful waste disposal and fly tipping cases that are reported via the Herefordshire Council website or by calling 01432 261761.