A man has been left more than £1,000 out of pocket after dumping a fridge freezer at the side of a County Durham road.
Billy Clifton dumped the household waste at Howlish Lane, near Coundon, on 16 February 2025.
The fridge freezer was spotted by one of Durham County Council’s neighbourhood wardens, who was able to track down the 42-year-old through the registration number of the vehicle used for the fly-tip.
Magistrates in Peterlee heard that Clifton, of Phoenix Place, Newton Aycliffe, did initially agree to attend an interview with the wardens in April 2025 but, on the day, said he could no longer make it.
A second interview was then arranged for later that month, but Clifton sent another message to the warden on the same day to say he couldn’t attend as he was out of the area.
When a third interview was arranged for May 2025, Clifton failed to attend or provide a reason why he wouldn’t be there.
Clifton admitted fly-tipping and failing to attend an interview and told magistrates he had a lot going on at the time. He was ordered to pay a total of £1,050.65 in court fines, costs and charges.
James Gilchrist, Durham County Council’s head of environment, said: “Fly-tipping has a significant impact on our local environment and is an issue that our communities continue to highlight with us.
“We hope this case sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated in County Durham. Anyone who is caught dumping waste illegally will be held to account for their actions.
“There are many ways to dispose of waste correctly – whether that’s by booking a bulky waste collection or taking unwanted items to any of our Household Waste Recycling Centres for free. Cases like this are easily avoided if we all act responsibly.”
To find out more about how to dispose of waste correctly, visit www.durham.gov.uk/recycling.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
