Man who fly-tipped twice on same day in the New Forest jailed for eight months

The 32 year old also dumped waste in the Test Valley and Southampton

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 15th Jun 2021
Last updated 15th Jun 2021

A persistent fly-tipper in the New Forest District area has been jailed.

Matthew Hunt, age 32, of St Boniface Court, North Baddesley, appeared at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on Friday (11th June) after pleading guilty to three fly-tipping cases.

Two happened on the same day at Bartley last June whilst a third was at Brook in the New Forest National Park the following month.

During the incident there he also threatened a member of the public with a crow bar.

The court heard that Hunt had dumped waste illegally in the New Forest, Southampton, and Test Valley areas..

After a short period of negotiation, Hunt also pleaded guilty to two charges brought by Southampton City Council and the most serious of the Test Valley District Council charges also being brought for similar offences.

JAIL SENTENCE

After hearing the facts and mitigation District Judge Calloway passed sentence as follows:

  • 4 months’ custody for the NFDC fly-tipping at Brook in the New Forest National Park on 5 July 2020.
  • 2 months’ custody for each of other two NFDC matters which were fly-tipping on 2 separate occasions on the same day at Bartley on 13 June 2020, concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the other sentences.
  • 2 months’ custody for each of the two SCC matters and the TVBC matter, concurrent to each other but consecutive to the other sentences.

This made a total custodial sentence of 8 months’ imprisonment for which Hunt was sent down with immediate effect.

Derek Darling, NFDC lead officer for environmental crime investigations, attended court and said;

“This illegal behaviour shows a total disregard for our beautiful part of the world, using our quiet countryside lanes to dispose of waste."

“The two fly-tips on the same day by Hunt show how active he was daily.

“We would like to thank the witnesses who came forward which led to this successful prosecution and we will not stop in our efforts to bring offenders like Hunt to court.”

Cllr David Russell, NFDC Portfolio Holder for People and Places, said,

“Our enforcement and legal teams put a lot of work into achieving this prosecution and conviction, obtaining statements and carrying out visits, a task made difficult at the height of lockdown."

“This prison sentence demonstrates to anyone thinking of dumping waste illegally that we will take action, and that we will pursue these criminals to the full extent of the law.”

You can find out how to prevent and report fly-tipping at: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1018/Fly-tipping

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