Man prosecuted after household rubbish dumped by roadside
South Gloucestershire Council describes fly tipping as a 'burden' on communities and the environment
A man, formerly from Patchway, has been fined more than £1400 after being prosecuted for fly-tipping in Aust.
Rob Edwards, 45, now of no fixed address, appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on 27 October. He admitted failing in his duty of care over waste and was fined £380, ordered to pay costs of £875 and a victim surcharge of £152.
The court heard household rubbish was dumped on Redhill Lane, Aust, in January 2025. Council officers traced paperwork in the pile back to Edwards, who later claimed someone had taken the waste away for free but couldn’t give a name.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I hope our enforcement action against fly-tipping acts as a deterrent to anyone who fails in their duty of care for waste disposal. If you dump waste illegally in South Gloucestershire, we will take enforcement action against you.
“Fly-tipping is not just an eyesore – it’s a crime that damages our environment and burdens our communities. We urge residents to always check that waste carriers are properly licensed and to report any suspicious activity.
“Residents are advised to be wary of businesses or people advertising waste clearances on social media sites such as Facebook. There are a number of legitimate options for waste removal, including the council’s large household waste collection service. If you hire a third-party to dispose of your waste, always ask for a copy of the company’s waste carrier registration certificate and ask where the waste is being taken.
“Prosecutions like these protect our environment and create cleaner and safer places for our communities. These are key priorities of the Liberal Democrat/ Labour partnership.”