Burgess Hill man prosecuted for flytipping

A traveller from Burgess Hill has been ordered to pay more than £3,000 after being caught flytipping in Brighton.

The man, named as Michael Smith of Fairbridge Hill Caravan Park, Fairbridge Way, Burgess Hill, was caught tipping waste from his lorry on a section of Downland set aside as a "tolerated site" for nomadic groups at 19 Acres, near Dyke Road, Brighton.

The temporary site was opened by the local authority earlier in the summer.

Smith pleaded not guilty of knowingly flytipping at Brighton Magistrates Court but magistrates fined him £1,000 plus £2,000 costs and a further £100 clean up costs after they were shown pictures of the man disposing of material from an apparent bathroom renovation.

The site was occupied by travellers at the time, though the pictures came from covert cameras and the prosecution was brought by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Council Environment cabinet member, Councillor Pete West said: "This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate that to take firm but fair action against anyone caught flytipping and dumping rubbish in the countryside."

If you witness flytipping you are encouraged to report it by calling the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060