Richard Darren Barwell, 55, of Ropewalk Road, pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 30 October 2025 to two offences under Section 33(5) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The court heard that on 10 August 2024, large quantities of household debris — including timber, bathroom fittings, carpets, and building rubble — were found dumped in a lane between Gower Street and Tucker Street, and again later that day at Wharf Road.
Among the items were internal doors, a cream bath and sink with a seashell-like pattern, bags of rubble, loft insulation, a broken toilet, and a Carmarthenshire Council recycling bag.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s Waste Enforcement Officers traced the fly-tipping to a black Ford tipper van seen at both locations. Mr Barwell was found to be insured to drive the vehicle, making him liable under the law even if he did not personally deposit the waste.
The van was seized and later crushed after being deemed unfit for the road.
Mr Barwell was ordered to pay £1,516 in costs, a £114 victim surcharge, and complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
“A serious environmental crime”
Councillor Scott Jones, Cabinet Member for Streetscene, praised the council’s enforcement team:
“This kind of fly-tipping is a serious environmental crime and can be very distressing for the communities where waste is unlawfully deposited. I want to praise our Waste Enforcement Officers who worked hard to bring about this prosecution. It sends out the message that those who fly-tip, and in so doing damage our communities, will be brought before the courts.”
It beggars belief we have idiots driving around dumping waste.
The fine isn’t big enough to stop people carrying out this act