A Strood man responsible for fly-tipping incidents around Cobham and Higham has received a suspended prison sentence following an investigation by the Council’s environmental enforcement team.
Mark Albert Williams, 60, of Beech Road, Strood, pleaded guilty to three offences of fly-tipping when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on 5 June, having previously pleaded not guilty at an appearance before magistrates. Three other offences were left on file.
Williams, who traded as Bushwackers Garden Services, collected waste from locations across south west London and Surrey and fly-tipped the rubbish in several rural locations around Cobham and Higham.
He refused to cooperate with Gravesham council’s investigation.
Williams, who has previous convictions for fly-tipping, was sentenced to 15 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.
Welcoming the outcome, Cllr Emma Morley, Gravesham Borough Council’s cabinet member for operational services, said:
“This is a particularly unpleasant case – an individual with a track record of despoiling the countryside for personal gain who appears not to have found any reason to change his ways following previous convictions.
“We are grateful to the courts for treating this repeat offending with the seriousness it deserves, and I would like to praise the work of our investigators for this welcome and exceptional outcome.”