Donna Thorpe and Andrew Wilkinson - ‘lazy’ fly-tippers fined in court

The waste dumped in Healey Dell Nature Reserve in August 2014

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Donna Thorpe and Andrew Wilkinson must pay more than £1,200 after being prosecuted for dumping rubbish at Healey Dell nature reserve.

Thorpe and Wilkinson, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping waste from their home at a hearing at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates’ Court on 7 July.

The prosecution, brought by Rochdale Council, came after a large amount of waste was dumped at Healey Dell in August 2014. Council staff found evidence in the waste that led them to Thorpe and Wilkinson’s address in Heywood.

They were each fined £146 for breaching section 33(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and ordered to pay £450 towards prosecution costs. A £20 victim surcharge was also imposed.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “A sizeable proportion of the waste this lazy couple dumped could easily have been disposed of responsibly at one of our recycling centres. Instead, they chose to dump it in the beautiful Healey Dell nature reserve.

"I’m pleased that they have been handed a sizeable fine and hope this will further discourage fly-tipping in our borough.”