Eye-witness evidence assists resident’s conviction for district fly-tipping offence
Winchester City Council has achieved another successful fly-tipping conviction – this time, for an offence witnessed and reported by a member of the public.
Samuel James Rickard, aged 51 years-old and a resident of Elder Close, Badger Farm, Winchester, was seen by a passing motorist dumping green waste and hedge cuttings from a van onto private land in Port Lane, Hursley in December 2024.
The motorist passed the registration number of the van to Winchester City Council and followed up with a full witness statement. The council’s team investigated and prosecuted the case, and the green waste was revealed to be commercial waste from Mr Rickard’s gardening business.
Mr Rickard pleaded guilty at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday 6 February 2026. He was sentenced to a fine of £677, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £271, prosecution costs of £1,523 and clear-up costs of £180, making a total to pay of £2,651.
Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Recycling and Public Protection Cllr Steve Cramoysan said: “At Winchester City Council we do not tolerate fly-tipping. We’re committed to protecting our local communities, wildlife and environment.
“The crime of fly-tipping causes huge damage so, wherever possible and appropriate, we will look to take legal action.
“We rely on reports and witness statements from the general public to support this action – I’d encourage anyone who witnesses or captures footage of someone dumping waste illegally in our district to report it to us so that our team can investigate.”
Reports of fly-tipping can be made via the council’s website, via the Your Winchester app or by calling 0300 300 0013.