Council calls for tougher fly-tipping sentences

A council leader is calling for tougher sentences for fly-tipping after a Kent man was given a suspended prison sentence for his role in an illegal waste site.

Jamie Broadmore, 41, of Strood, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act after an investigation into waste being dumped and burned on National Highways-owned land in Northfleet.

Gravesham Borough Council leader John Burden, who is asking the government to bring in penalties as a deterrent, said that an investigation began in 2022 after fire crews found several hundred tonnes of controlled waste, including hazardous items.

The Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was giving authorities "the tools to fight back" through its Waste Crime Action Plan.

Broadmore was served notices but continued to take waste to the site between Wrotham Road and Hog Lane, the council said.

He admitted treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment, or to harm human health, at Maidstone Crown Court on 1 May.

He was sentenced on 24 June to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, pay £1,000 compensation, plus a victim surcharge of £156, and undertake 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

National Highways spent £150,000 clearing the site and its investigation cost £4,840, but no costs were awarded, the council added.

Broadmore had 16 previous convictions.

After the hearing, Burden said: "We know judges are bound by sentencing guidelines, but these must be fundamentally flawed when someone who has admitted facilitating illegal dumping on an industrial scale and who has a litany of previous convictions can walk away with such a light sentence."

Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham, said that fly-tipping was not a victimless crime.

"It damages our environment, puts public safety at risk, and leaves local taxpayers footing the bill," she said.

"Cases like this highlight the need for tougher penalties."

Defra said: "This government is determined to make waste criminals pay to clear up the mess they've created.

"Through our Waste Crime Action Plan, we're giving authorities the tools to fight back - more boots on the ground, more drones in the air and tougher penalties for those who blight our communities and countryside alongside supporting local authorities and police to investigate, seize and crush vehicles used to illegally dump waste."

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