TWO Basingstoke men who had a "persistent disregard for the law" have been handed a prison sentence after fly-tipping household waste across Basingstoke.
Lee Wainwright, of Schubert Road, was sentenced to 10 months at Winchester Crown Court today (April 5) for six counts of fly-tipping between November 2019 and March 2020.
Meanwhile James Christopher, of Pear Tree Way, was sentenced to nine months in prison at the same court for ten counts of fly-tipping across the borough between February 2019 and July 2020.
During the sentencing the court heard how the pair dumped waste from L&J Clearances and L&J vans, Christopher was the 'main fly-tipper' and Wainwright was 'the driver'.
Wainwright previously pleaded not guilty on October 14 and went to trial at Salisbury Crown Court on January 4.
He was accused of fly-tipping at various locations across the Basingstoke and Deane, including land at North Oakley, Old Basing, Sherborne St John, Upper Wootton, Oakley, Deane, Chineham, Farleigh Wallop, Ellisfield, Manydown, South Ham, Oakridge, Pack Lane and Brighton Hill over a period from February 2019 to September 2020.
In mitigation for Christopher, Francisca Da Costa said it should be noted he pleaded guilty to the charges and "accepts responsibility for his actions".
In mitigation for Wainwright, Caroline Moonan said: “In this case the offence takes place between 2019 and early 2020. He was the lesser one who did not do the fly-tipping and he has kept out of trouble during the intervening period. There has been a change in his life and he has now settled down and is a dedicated family man and he is the main wage earner for his family.”
They have both been previously convicted of fly-tipping, Wainwright twice and Christopher three times.
Judge Andrew Barnett said: “It seems to me that the effect of dumping household waste and unpleasant items as had an effect on amenities and the value of the properties.
“Both have previous convictions and I, therefore, find it falls in the act of deliberate fly-tipping.
“An immediate sentence is appropriate.”
He said the pair had a total “persistent disregard for the law” and continued to dump waste in car parks and outside businesses.
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