A FORMER fruit and veg trader has been prosecuted for fly-tipping.

David Langley, 42, of Sandell Place in Amesbury pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Salisbury Magistrates Court on August 31.

On October 8, last year, Mr Langley dumped cardboard, plastic and rotting food waste in a public car park in Amesbury.

He was also prosecuted for failing to provide waste transfer notes to Wiltshire Council when asked to do so and failing in his duty of care in relation to his business waste, and was given a fine of £780.

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The court heard how Langley privately operated a fruit and veg stall in a private Amesbury car park without any contract for waste disposal.

He deposited cardboard, plastic and rotten food waste in a nearby Wiltshire Council car park which attracted multiple complaints from locals and was ultimately cleared by Wiltshire Council.

Langley failed to produce any of the requested waste transfer notes and in addition, held no waste carriers’ licence at the time of the offence.

He was issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for these offences but failed to pay any of the fines and was prosecuted as a result.

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Cabinet member for highways, Dr Mark McClelland said, “All businesses have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is correctly and lawfully disposed of and they must retain waste transfer notes in relation to their business waste.

“In this case, the actions of Mr Langley led to multiple complaints from locals and a significant cost to Wiltshire Council taxpayers to clear up his mess and investigate the incident.

“We want to send a clear message to the inconsiderate minority that we will fine or prosecute if you are caught dumping rubbish illegally.”

Residents can report fly tipping online by clicking here or by calling 0300 456 0100.