Man pays heavy price for fly-tipping in wooded area overlooking Port Talbot

Francisco Covaci, 23, of Beverley Street, Port Talbot, admitted three charges of unlawfully depositing controlled waste at the court hearing on 14 August 2023.

His sentence involved payment of a fine, prosecution costs, clean-up costs and a victim impact surcharge totalling £1,239.51.

The Magistrates heard Neath Port Talbot Council Waste Enforcement Officers discovered waste deposited at Broomhill on three separate occasions, once in April and twice in May of 2022.

Their investigation into the fly-tipping incidents led them to Mr Covaci and in an interview with the officers, the defendant was said to have been “very open and honest”

in admitting the offences.

The Magistrates reduced Mr Covaci’s fine to £480 after allowing him credit for a guilty plea at the first opportunity.

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “We take fly-tipping extremely seriously as it damages the environment in Neath Port Talbot.

“The sentencing in this case also demonstrates how seriously the courts are taking the issue. “We will always take action against the illegal dumping of waste to protect our environment and to help improve the look of our towns, valleys and villages.”

(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)