A Morden resident is counting the cost of fly-tipping after being caught illegally disposing of waste in Merton.

Sylvester Stefanski was prosecuted at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court last week for dumping a wooden gate and pieces of scrap wood in Bordesley Road, Morden. Mr. Stefanski was summoned to attend court where he pleaded guilty to fly-tipping. He was ordered to pay out a total of £370 for the offence which included a £150 fine, £200 costs and the victim surcharge of £20. The court made it clear to Mr. Stefanski that his financial and family circumstances significantly reduced the fine and costs he was ordered to pay. This follows another successful fly-tipping prosecution for Merton Council after South Wimbledon resident Kashif Malik was last month sentenced to pay a fine of £600, the victim surcharge of £60 and ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £1,000 for fly-tipping in Hatfield Mead.

This action is part of the council’s anti-litter campaign. Every year, the council spends £5 million keeping the borough’s streets clean by tackling litter and fly-tipping. The council uses several methods to pursue fly-tippers, including CCTV cameras and enforcement officers.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking, Councillor Judy Saunders said: “The majority of our residents want to work with us to keep Merton clean and tidy. As both of these cases show, people should be warned that anyone we catch fly-tipping could face a court conviction and substantial fines. Our enforcement teams are on the lookout for offenders and won’t let them get away with fly-tipping. Also, it is important that residents know their responsibility to ensure anyone calling at their home offering to take away building waste and other rubbish for a fee has the correct licence, otherwise, they might find themselves in court.”

If people witness fly-tipping, they should note down as many details of the event as possible and let the council know by visiting merton.gov.uk/street-cleaning.

-ENDS-