A woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 for failing to assist an investigation into an illegal fly-tip after her details were found amongst the dumped rubbish.

The fly-tip, which contained cardboard boxes, paint tins, black bags, broken furniture and broken glass, was reported to Chorley Council in June 2023.

The council’s enforcement team then attended the site, at the entrance to the bridleway on Holt Lane, Brindle, and an investigation was launched.

Evidence was collected from the site, including a woman’s personal details, and council officers were able to identify a suspect and interview her over the dumped rubbish.

Following this, Emma Lucy Cain, of Three Nooks, Bamber Bridge, was prosecuted for failing to assist an investigation under the Environment Act 1995, Section 110.

She then failed to attend court and the case was proven in her absence on April 9, and she was ordered to pay a total of £1,152.50.  

A spokesperson for Chorley Council said: “The work of multiple members of the public who reported the incident in the first place, combined with our council enforcement team meant that evidence was collected and an investigation by the team could be carried out.

“This led us to interview a person whose details were found within the items and ultimately identify a person believed to be responsible for the tipping.

“Ms Cain was fined £440 with a £176 victim surcharge, alongside £536.50 costs.

“A successful outcome and another example of why it is important to report fly-tips and cooperate in our investigations.”

Find out more about fly-tipping and how to report here: https://chorley.gov.uk/flytipping