Newbury man fined for rubbish dumped in Hurstbourne Priors

David Berridge of West Street, Newbury, who operates as 'The Van of Dave,' was ordered to pay more than £1,300 after appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.

The prosecution was brought by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council following the discovery of illegally dumped waste on Apsley Lane in Hurstbourne Priors.

The rubbish included wood, a white drawer and correspondence traced back to the culprit (Image: BDBC)

The waste included wood, a white drawer unit, and correspondence linking the fly-tip to a bin store clearance at Kingman Way in Newbury, carried out by Mr Berridge in August 2023 on behalf of Sovereign Network Group.

Councillor Laura James, cabinet member for residents’ services and housing at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "This case demonstrates that responsibility for the lawful disposal of waste stays with the waste carrier licence holder, even if they were not directly involved in removing the waste.

"It is a reminder to all those that operate licenced waste removal activities that we will take enforcement action where we find that waste has not been disposed of correctly."

The council’s investigation found that Mr Berridge, who holds a waste carrier licence, was subcontracted to carry out the clearance.

David Berridge, 'The Van of Dave ', has been fined (Image: BDBC)

A waste transfer note related to the removal was found to be incomplete, and no disposal facility was identified in the documentation.

Investigators were unable to match the waste to any disposal receipts or weighbridge records, and further requests for documentation went unanswered.

Mr Berridge pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and was fined £130, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £52, and prosecution costs of £1,190.