Happy Dumper

[Gob]

A man caught in a "one in a million" photo "joyously" dumping a dishwasher at the side of a road has been ordered to pay more than £1,200 by a court.



Richard Weston had previously dumped waste in the same spot in Derbyshire six times, so the council set up a motion-activated camera to catch him.

The council's environmental health manager said it was "a really dopey thing to do".

Weston admitted depositing controlled waste without an environmental permit.


Richard Weston looked in the direction of the camera, but did not realise he was being photographed

Matt Holford, South Derbyshire District Council's environmental health manager, described one of the photos as "a one in a million".

"It's extraordinary. He obviously didn't spot the camera," said Mr Holford.

"It almost looks like he is joyously throwing machine parts into the hedge."

The camera did not capture Weston's car registration plate the first time he was photographed, but he returned to dump yet more waste and was then traced through the number.

Richard Weston went back to dump waste an eighth time, and was then traced through his car registration plate

When interviewed he said he had salvaged parts from old dishwashers and sold them online as a hobby to earn a bit of extra money.

"One of the hilarious things about it was that during interview, under caution, he almost gave an impression he didn't think it was a problem because every time he dumped something it would disappear," said Mr Holford.

"I think he thought a local scrap dealer was picking it up."

In reality, the council was picking up the cost of clearing the site in Sandy Lane, Caldwell.

Weston, 38, of Frederick Street, Woodville, was fined £215, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £21 when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court.

[Long Run]

I'd add a couple of zeros to the fine. These scumbags ruin our landscape and for no reason other than their laziness, and the fine should ruin their lives.

[Gob]

Agreed.

[RayThom]

Ah, let him go. You can plainly see he's saying I shouldn't be doing this again.

[Jarlaxle]

I'd add a couple of zeros to the fine. These scumbags ruin our landscape and for no reason other than their laziness, and the fine should ruin their lives.

Never tried to get rid of large items, then? The worst is tires: near as I can tell, the transfer station where I used to live was open 8:30-3:30 on alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays.................when the moon was in the ninth house and Jupiter was ascending, or something like that. No matter when I went, the damned place was NEVER FUCKING OPEN! After about ten trips and two months of frustration trying to get rid of a dozen old tires, I chopped them up with a Sawzall, stuffed them into black garbage bags, and they went in the trash. Plenty of people would have just dumped them someplace! (I considered it; I spent all day and killed 2 blades chopping them up.) Getting rid of an air conditioner or freezer is about as pleasant as major dental work, and damn near as much hassle. (See above about transfer station hours of operation.)

Also note: EVERY time I tried to get rid of oil or coolant at the transfer station, either it was closed or I was told, "Sorry, tank's full!" (I honestly think they just never bother to have it pumped.)