Residents are being warned that fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence that can lead to time behind bars, after a Bolton fly-tipping offender was sentenced.
Charlotte Connell, of Nantwich Walk, Great Lever, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Wigan Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 10.
Waste linked to her address was found dumped on land to the rear of Nantwich Walk in March 2026.
The waste consisted of a large quantity of household rubbish, including plastic storage boxes, a glass table, toys, a travel cot, refuse bags and shopping bags.
During investigation, Ms Connell confirmed she had arranged for a third party to remove household waste from her property but was unable to demonstrate that it had been disposed of lawfully by a licenced carrier.
The court handed her a one day custodial sentence and ordered her to pay costs of £432 and a victim surcharge of £26.
Cllr Robert Morrisey, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:
“The case serves as a stark reminder that those who don’t dispose of their waste lawfully face significant consequences, including court action, fines, costs and, in some circumstances, imprisonment.
"Fly-tipping blights neighbourhoods, damages the environment and places an unnecessary burden on taxpayers who ultimately have to fund the clean-up.
"Residents have a legal obligation to check that anyone removing waste on their behalf is a registered waste carrier and to keep records of any transactions.
“Anyone wishing to report fly-tipping can do so via the Bolton Council website or by contacting the council directly.”
Disposing of your waste legally
You have a legal Duty of Care to ensure your household waste is disposed of correctly.
You can be prosecuted even if your waste is fly-tipped by someone else on your behalf.
Always use a registered waste carrier to collect your waste. You can find a registered waste carrier in your area on the Environment Agency’s website.