A Telford resident has been handed a financial penalty after allowing her household waste to be dumped on council-owned land.

Ms McCollum appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 15 December, where she entered a guilty plea for failing to dispose of her waste responsibly. The prosecution comes as part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s “Winter of Action” campaign, a high-visibility initiative aimed at tackling environmental crime and anti-social behaviour across the borough.

The ‘Duty of Care’ Breach

The court heard that Ms McCollum had allowed her waste to be disposed of by another individual onto land owned by the local authority. Under UK law, householders have a legal “Duty of Care” to ensure that their waste is only handled by authorised persons and disposed of in a lawful manner.

While Ms McCollum initially claimed she believed the land was within her own property boundary, she later admitted that the Council regularly maintained the grass in that area. She further stated that she had been habitually disposing of cardboard in this fashion, claiming her recycling bags were frequently stolen.

The magistrates, however, were not moved by the explanation, determining that her actions were deliberate.

The Cost of Fly-Tipping

The court imposed a strict financial penalty to reflect the seriousness of the offence, with a fine of £1,648, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge. The conviction also remains on Ms McCollum’s permanent record.

Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, welcomed the verdict.

“Duty of Care matters because it helps keep our neighbourhoods clean and safe,” Cllr Overton said. “It’s also a legal requirement; ignoring it can lead to prosecution, heavy fines, and a criminal record. This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to tackling environmental crime and ensuring that those who deliberately flout the law are held accountable.”