A Dartford fly-tipper will spend Christmas in prison after dumping waste across the borough, all while being banned from driving.

Between July 2021 and April 2022, Alfie Ryan dumped waste at three locations across Dartford, including Brooklands Lakes, which posed a risk to local wildlife.

On December 5th the 44-year-old was jailed for 120 days for driving whilst disqualified. He was handed a 60-day prison sentence for the fly-tipping offences, which will run concurrently.

Between 22/07/2021 & 25/08/2021, Ryan dumped household waste, toys and a hot tub outside garages in Attlee Drive. He fly-tipped more waste in a car park on Overy Street on January 8th 2022 before leaving wood, black plastic bags and paint tubs near Brooklands Lake in April of that year.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard Ryan, of Bronte Grove, Dartford, had no insurance and no waste carriers licence.

Ryan pleaded guilty to all offences, including a charge of conduct causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, for which he was handed a 10 year Criminal Behaviour Order. The CBO carries the following conditions:

  1. Not to be in a vehicle carrying waste not produced by his household,
  2. Not to be in a vehicle carrying commercial waste,
  3. Not to be being employed in the waste industry,
  4. Not to advertise or promote waste collection, carrying or disposal.

Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said: “It isn’t often you see an immediate custodial sentence for fly-tippers, but the level of offence in this case was so serious that the court saw no other option.

“Fly-tipping is a blight upon our borough. Fortunately the great work of our enforcement team, together with Kent Police, saw this offender brought to justice. The Criminal Behaviour Order is another deterrent against anyone else who considers committing this selfish crime.

“This sentencing serves as a lesson to anyone plotting to dump waste around our borough. Dartford council will use its full powers to bring offenders to justice and stop your criminal behaviour.”

Published: 12th December 2023