Fly-tippers ordered to pay hundreds in separate Tameside cases

Two Tameside residents have appeared in court after waste was illegally dumped in separate incidents in Hyde, leading to further prosecutions as the council continues its crackdown on fly tipping.

Tameside Magistrates’ Court heard that council street cleaners discovered dumped waste on Commercial Street, Hyde, on 1 February 2024. Evidence collected at the scene was passed to Tameside Council’s waste enforcement team, who traced the rubbish to Stephanie Brierley, of Padstow Walk, Hyde.

Ms Brierley told officers she had paid someone to remove the waste but failed to provide any details of the carrier. She was offered the chance to pay a fixed penalty notice (FPN) or attend an interview under caution, but the FPN remained unpaid despite numerous reminders.

On 5 December 2025, she admitted failing to comply with her household waste duty of care. Magistrates ordered her to pay £869, including a £292 fine, £250 compensation, £200 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge.

In a separate case heard the same day, magistrates were told how waste enforcement officers and staff from Jigsaw Homes carried out a joint operation at the Backbower housing estate on 30 July 2024, following complaints about waste management.

Officers found a build-up of rubbish, including carrier bags and black bin bags, in the car park at Peveril Terrace. The waste was traced to Gareth Griffiths, of South Side, Hyde. He was offered the option to discharge liability by paying a fixed penalty notice, but again, the FPN was not paid.

On 5 December, Mr Griffiths admitted an offence of fly tipping and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the council.

Cllr Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods, said the prosecutions demonstrated effective collaboration between teams and partners.

“These two prosecutions highlight some great teamwork between services and our partners to investigate fly tipping and hold those responsible accountable.

“The first one also serves as a reminder for residents to always use an authorised waste carrier – and get receipts - when asking someone to dispose of waste on their behalf to ensure they are legitimate and will dispose of the waste legally.

“I know fly tipping hugely concerns residents and is a blight on our neighbourhoods and we’re working hard to tackle it. Our teams are very committed to investigating incidents and tracking down those responsible and I would like to thank them for their diligence. Already this year we’ve had 14 waste cases before the courts, with 10 convictions and six cases still ongoing. The team have also issued 279 fixed penalty notices for waste offences.”

According to the council, 14 waste cases have already been brought before the courts this year, resulting in 10 convictions, with six more cases still ongoing. Enforcement teams have also issued 279 fixed penalty notices for waste offences.

Residents are encouraged to check whether a waste carrier is authorised by using the national register of licensed operators:  https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers

The council also recommends keeping the following records when arranging waste removal:

• Details of the business and any vehicle used
• Evidence of checks made, including registration, permit or exemption numbers
• A receipt with the operator’s business details
• A copy or photograph of the carrier’s waste licence or site permit

The waste dumped in the Griffiths case. Credit: Tameside Council