Bedford Fruit & Veg and La Pinata among businesses fined for fly-tipping
Three businesses have been prosecuted in the council’s latest environmental crime crackdown.
Bedford Borough Council’s enviro crime team obtained multiple convictions at Luton Magistrates’ Court in July with offenders ordered to pay more than £6,500 in fines, costs and victim surcharges.
Those prosecuted were:
>Bedford Fruit & Veg Limited, of High Street, Bedford, was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of £400, a victim surcharge of £160 and costs of £767
Following reports of commercial waste issues, the business was required to obtain a commercial waste bin and ensure it was not stored on the footpath. Although a bin was obtained, it remained on the footpath for several months despite repeated requests for it to be removed.
>La Pinata Ltd, of St Cuthbert Street, Bedford, was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of £400, a victim surcharge of £160 and costs of £1,666
Following reports of misuse of household waste bins and fly-tipping in Rush Court, officers served a notice requiring the company to produce documentation relating to the disposal of its commercial waste, which it failed to provide. Director Dilzar Miah was also ordered to pay a fine of £400 and a victim surcharge of £160 after failing to attend court.
>Sandy Miranda was convicted and ordered to pay a fine of £400, a victim surcharge of £176 and costs of £1,835
After a van-sized fly-tip was found in Dane Street, Bedford, officers identified the waste had originated from Suadade café in Harpur Street. Miranda, the business owner, failed to assist the council’s investigation.
The latest convictions come as the council publishes new CCTV images on its Caught on Cameras page – get in touch with if you recognise any of them.
Councillor Andrea Spice, portfolio Holder for economic prosperity, planning, housing and regulatory services, said: “These prosecutions show that Bedford Borough Council will not tolerate environmental crime. Fly-tipping and waste offences blight our communities, damage local pride and cost taxpayers money to clear up.
“We will continue to take robust action against offenders, while making it as easy as possible for residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly.”