Fly-tipper who dumped waste behind city cafe ordered to pay more than £3,700

A fly-tipper who was spotted dumping a van-load of waste behind a city café has been prosecuted by the City of Wolverhampton Council. Cristian Costache discarded household rubbish, domestic building waste, car parts and white goods in the car park at the back of Ghales Café on Finchfield Road West.

He was seen fly-tipping from a white van around 6.30pm by a witness who reported it to the police. The officers then got in touch with the council’s environmental crime team.

Costache was questioned by the team and during the investigations, it emerged that he had also been involved in a similar incident in South Staffordshire. The council’s environmental crime team used its powers to seize the vehicle Costache used for fly-tipping and took it off the road.

It was held for over seven months while investigations were completed and a subsequent prosecution carried out. Costache, from Carter Road, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Dudley Magistrates Court on October 2.

He was fined £933, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £373 and costs of £2,412.44. The offence in Wolverhampton occurred on 27 February 2024, the day after Costache had been seen dumping rubble at Wergs Fishery in Codsall.

South Staffordshire District Council officers investigated that incident and during a separate hearing, the court imposed a fine, costs and victim surcharge totalling £2,482.

The funds recouped by City of Wolverhampton Council from a recent court case will be funnelled back into its environmental crime service, which aims to prosecute those who don't dispose of their waste properly. This move bolsters the council's 'Shop a Tipper' campaign, which publicly shares images of suspected rubbish dumpers to gather information for identification.

If tips lead to issued and paid Fixed Penalty Notices or successful prosecutions, informants are rewarded with a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton Gift Card. Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, commented: "We will not stand by and see thoughtless criminals turn our city into a rubbish tip."

He added: "Fly-tipping is a deeply unpleasant crime, and we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone who dumps their waste in our streets."

He further encouraged locals to report any related information, saying, "It’s action like this, alongside our dedicated Shop a Tipper work, that shows we are sending a strong message to fly-tippers. We would encourage residents to contact us with any information so we can continue to clamp down on offenders."

Residents are reminded that they can dispose of waste free of charge at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres, which are open seven days a week from 8am – 4pm. The centres are located at Anchor Lane, Lanesfield, Bilston and Shaw Road, Wolverhampton.

A bulky item collection service is also available for large unwanted items.