Two people have been ordered to pay nearly £700 each after dumping household waste in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The legal action follows a push by the local authority to tackle illegal rubbish dumping after more than 10,000 incidents were recorded in the city during the 2023/24 period.
Philimon Wakabikwa and Elena Ion pleaded guilty at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court after bags of waste were traced back to them by council staff. According to Peterborough City Council, the waste was found in residential and industrial streets.
Rubbish dumped by Elena Ion was discovered in Clarence Road, Millfield, an area where residents have previously complained about waste reaching epidemic levels. Philimon Wakabikwa was prosecuted for dumping waste in Third Drove, Fengate.
The court ordered each person to pay a £350 fine, a £140 victim surcharge, and £200 in legal costs. Councillor Angus Ellis, who oversees environmental issues, said the council is determined to stop the blight of fly-tipping and will hold offenders financially responsible.
Residents are being reminded to use official waste services, such as the local recycling centre in Fengate, to dispose of their rubbish. The council hopes these court results will serve as a deterrent and help reduce the cost of clearing up illegal dump sites.
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