A Warrington man has been ordered to pay more than £1,600 after pleading guilty to a fly-tipping offence following an investigation by Warrington Borough Council.
Paul Start, of St Katherines Way, Warrington, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court after council officers traced fly-tipped waste found in the Fairfield and Howley ward back to him.
The investigation began after waste was discovered on a footpath at College Close on 20 January 2026. The fly-tipped material included bin bags, carrier bags and other household refuse.
Evidence gathered during the investigation linked the waste to Mr Start. He was given opportunities to engage with the investigation and explain how the waste had come to be fly-tipped, but no explanation was provided.
At Warrington Magistrates’ Court, Mr Start pleaded guilty to failing to comply with his household waste duty of care. Taking account of the guilty plea, magistrates imposed a £480 fine, together with a £192 victim surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs, resulting in a total financial penalty of £1,672.
Councillor John Kerr-Brown, Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Public Protection, said: “This case is a further example of the importance of residents taking steps to ensure their household waste is disposed of responsibly.
“Reasonable opportunities were provided for engagement with the investigation, but no explanation was given as to how the waste came to be unlawfully deposited.
“A lack of engagement does not mean that officers will abandon an investigation, and cases will be progressed to court where it is appropriate to do so.”
Residents have a legal duty of care to ensure their household waste is disposed of responsibly. This includes checking that anyone who takes away their waste is authorised to do so and is a registered waste carrier.
The council continues to investigate reports of fly-tipping and take enforcement action where evidence identifies those responsible.
Residents can report fly-tipping and provide information about incidents via the council’s website at warrington.gov.uk/flytipping.
For advice on disposing of waste responsibly and checking that waste carriers are properly registered, visit warrington.gov.uk.
