Shopkeeper’s failure over waste disposal

DUMPED . . . cardboard waste traced back to off-licence owner Lan Tran, but she was not blamed for tyres also abandoned at the scene

AN Oldham off-licence owner paid £20 to have cardboard packaging taken away — but it ended up costing her a further £350 and a court conviction.

The rubbish was fly-tipped by a man who approached the Oldham off-licence owner offering to take away waste.

But Oldham Council traced and prosecuted Lan Tran, of California Wines, Denton Lane, Chadderton, after it was dumped illegally behind homes in Edward Street, Werneth.

An enforcement officer from the Council’s Environmental Health Department found two separate piles of cardboard boxes for wine and confectionery.

Tyres found at the scene were not dumped by Tran.

When interviewed, the 28-year-old said an unknown man approached her to remove waste from the rear of the shop. She agreed to pay £20 for its removal, which required two trips. She failed to ask whether he was licensed and failed to provide a receipt for the work.

Tran admitted a breach in a duty of care over trade waste and was conditionally discharged for 18 months by Oldham magistrates and told to pay £350 costs

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: “Illegal waste carriers and people who do not dispose of waste properly are responsible for a significant amount of fly tipping in Oldham. We are determined to pursue people who break the law and to improve the cleanliness of the borough.”

To report any illegal environmental issues to the council, ring 0161-770 2244.