A fly-tipper who dumped waste at a 'well-loved' beauty spot has been fined in court after a council investigation.
Luke Pollitt, 24, was tracked down after investigators used CCTV covering the area to trace a van which pulled up at the scene.
Council bosses in Manchester said a 'large amount of waste' was discovered in the Kenworthy Woods area of Northenden, Manchester.
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It's described by the council as a 'well-loved and used' secluded natural area. Pollitt, of Jubilee Court, Wilmslow, pleaded guilty to the charges he faced and fined £200.
In a statement, the council said: "In August 2021, council officers within the Neighbourhood Compliance Team discovered a large fly-tip in Willenhall Road, in the Kenworthy Woods area of Northenden.
"It was noted the waste had been dumped in the hedgerow as well as on a nearby cycle path. CCTV footage later examined by officers showed a van pulling up to the area and dumping waste on two separate occasions, August 10, 2021, and August 14, 2021.
"Investigations found that on the suspected dates of the fly-tip, the registered owner of the van had lent it to defendant Luke Pollitt.
"When interviewed by the Council in March 2022, Pollitt admitted to dumping waste in the area on both occasions.
"On February 23, 2023 he made his first appearance at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, entering a guilty plea. The hearing was then adjourned to prepare pre-sentencing reports.
"On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Pollitt appeared again at Manchester Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with a mandatory 15 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as being fined £200.
"He was also fined £50 for a bail act offence, after failing to appear at an earlier sentencing appearing scheduled for April, 2023."
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “As a council we work tirelessly to track down and prosecute fly-tippers. It is a shameful crime that does nothing other than degrade our neighbourhoods.
“In this instance it is especially unpleasant, given the waste was dumped in Kenworthy Woods, a well-loved and used natural spot where residents can escape from the surrounding urban environment.
“I would like to thank our officers who investigated this case and legal team who secured this prosecution. I want this to send a message to anyone who thinks of replicating this crime, that they will be caught, and brought to justice.”
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