Fly-tipper ordered to pay up after dumping waste in Motherwell
Miroslaw Bortkiewicz, 39, discarded a number of items in a North Lanarkshire car park and when tracked down by police he told officers: "I remember."
Thursday 4 May 2023 11:24, UK
A fly-tipper who was captured on CCTV illegally dumping waste has been ordered to hand over 拢1,050.
Miroslaw Bortkiewicz, 39, discarded a number of items in a North Lanarkshire car park including a suitcase, wooden containers, a sack, cardboard box, and dismantled furniture.
He also deposited six black plastic waste bags in the bins of a nearby block of flats.
Bortkiewicz, from Motherwell, was subsequently traced after his Mercedes Vito van was recorded on local authority CCTV.
When cautioned and charged by police, he replied: "I remember."
The fly-tipping took place in Motherwell's Dalriada Crescent in October 2021.
North Lanarkshire Council took on the cost of removing the waste, despite having no responsibility for the area where the rubbish was dumped.
Bortkiewicz was this week fined £750 and ordered to pay £300 compensation to the council after pleading guilty to an environmental charge at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Fiona Caldwell, wildlife and environmental crime lead for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: "Miroslaw Bortkiewicz showed a clear disregard for the environment in committing this offence.
"Fly-tipping causes the public real and legitimate concern. It is criminal behaviour which creates an eyesore and is costly to clear up.
"There is no excuse for illegally dumping waste and those who choose to engage in it will be brought to account for their actions."
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Andrew McPherson, chief officer of community operations at North Lanarkshire Council, said the local authority welcomed the outcome of the case.
He added: "The work of North Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to investigate and gather evidence has led to this successful prosecution, and we will continue to identify and take action against anyone who illegally dumps rubbish in our communities."