A WARRINGTON business owner has been ordered to pay more than £3,000 after being prosecuted for failing to comply with their legal duty of care by not having an appropriate trade waste contract in place.
Kodo Zirer Ahmed, of Dubai Mini Market, Marsh House Lane, Warrington, was found guilty in his absence at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.
The court was told Warrington Borough Council investigated after concerns were raised with the council’s Environmental Crime Team regarding the business’s waste disposal practices. Officers carried out enquiries into how the business was managing its waste. The business owner failed to demonstrate that the necessary arrangements were in place.
The defendant failed to attend the hearing and the court impos a fine of £1,100 and ordered the defendant to pay costs of £2,396, bringing the total amount payable to £3,496.
After the hearing Cllr John Kerr-Brown, the council’s cabinet member for Environment, Housing and Public Protection, said: “Businesses have a clear legal duty to manage and dispose of their waste responsibly and to provide evidence of this when requested.
“When individuals or businesses fail to engage with our officers, we will not hesitate to take further action. This case demonstrates that we will pursue offences through the courts where necessary.
“Failure to comply with these requirements undermines efforts to tackle environmental crime and protect our communities.
“This case follows the Environmental Crime Team’s recent national recognition, where it was highly commended in the Best Council Services Team category for its work in tackling fly-tipping.”
.
