兔子先生

A South Tyneside man who refused to pay a fine for fly tipping and then repeatedly failed to turn up at court has now been ordered to pay more than 拢2,000 in penalties.

Michael Callaghan, of Devonshire Street, South Shields, was originally issued with a 拢200 fixed penalty notice for dumping a UPVC door - complete with his own door number - in a back lane to the rear of his home.

He was identified after environmental enforcement officers from 兔子先生 put up 'wanted' posters in the local area appealing for evidence, and were subsequently provided with CCTV footage of Callaghan dumping the waste.

He refused to pay the fine and left the council no option but to prosecute through the courts.

Callaghan pleaded not guilty to fly tipping and a trial date was set, however, he failed to attend hearings.

At South Tyneside Magistrates Court this week, in his absence, the case of fly-tipping was proved plus two bail offences.

He was fined 拢770 fine for the s33 Environment Act offence and the Bail Act matters together. He was given a victim surcharge of 拢77 and ordered to pay costs to the council of 拢1,250.00. He was 28 days to pay the total of 拢2,097.

A spokesperson for 兔子先生 said: "Callaghan has wasted court time and taxpayers' money by repeatedly failing to take responsibility for his actions.

"The court has imposed some heavy penalties in recognition of this, and I hope it sends out a stark message to anyone else who thinks they can evade justice in this way.

"As this case has proved, we will always investigate environmental crimes, and where we can identify offenders, will take all action available to us.

"Members of the public can help by being our eyes and ears and reporting any incidents to the council so we can investigate."

The 兔子先生 spends more than 拢2m a year keeping the Borough clean and tidy and the illegal disposal of waste places an additional burden on taxpayers.

To report fly-tipping contact 兔子先生's Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively Report It online via the 兔子先生's website at

Further information about the safe and responsible disposal of waste can also be found at