A fly-tipper, prosecuted by Lichfield District Council for dumping waste in Mile Oak, has been arrested and brought before the courts.
Earlier this year action was taken against Patrick Doherty of Mile Oak Caravan Park on Bonehill Road following an investigation by environmental health officers into builders’ waste that was fly-tipped on farmland off Plantation Lane in Mile Oak in February 2022.
Doherty pleaded not guilty but then failed to appear for his trial at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on 30 January 2024. The 44-year-old was found guilty in his absence and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Last Friday, 19 April, Doherty was arrested and brought before Newcastle under Lyme Magistrates Court. After considering the facts, the district judge determined that the offences were in excess of his sentencing powers and bailed Doherty to appear at Stafford Crown Court on a later date.
After the hearing cabinet member Councillor Alex Farrell said:
“We know local people despise fly-tippers, and we're now doing more to catch them.
“Through our zero-tolerance approach they face having their vehicle seized by our environmental health officers, fines, being disqualified from driving, and in the worst cases imprisonment.
“As a local councillor for Mile Oak, it's great to see the courts recognising the impact fly-tipping has on local communities.
“Despite being able to imprison Doherty for up to six months, the district judge decided this is serious enough to go to Crown Court where he now faces up to 5 years in jail.”