Fly-tipper fined after dumping rubbish then claiming 'my friend told me I could do it'

A fly-tipper who dumped a settee bed base on land claimed he did so after being told he was allowed.

Idris Hussain, aged 36, of Cofton Gove, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to depositing the item on Abberley Street, near Birmingham’s border with Smethwick, on April 13 last year without the authority or a permit to do so.

A second charge against Hussain of throwing bin bags of rubbish from a car at the same location was withdrawn at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday (June 18).

Magistrates were told an investigation was carried out by environmental health officers after viewing CCTV footage of the offence taking place.

Remus Cozma, prosecuting on behalf of Birmingham City Council, said Hussain accepted liability and responsibility for the offence via email communications.

He added the offence fell under the ‘reckless’ category as “there had been foresight from Mr Hussain”.

The court was told that Hussain, who works as a painter and decorator, has no previous convictions. He said his income varied week to week depending on work coming his way, adding sometimes he earns nothing.

Speaking through an interpreter, Hussain said: “A friend told me I could throw rubbish in that place as other people are doing so.”

When asked, Hussain said he now realises people are not allowed to dump rubbish at the location.

He was told by magistrates: “Just because someone else does it, does not make it right.”

Hussain was fined £333 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £133. He was also ordered to pay costs of £250.