Businesses fined over waste offences

Bedford Borough Council has secured a series of prosecutions for fly-tipping and other waste offences.

Multiple businesses have been ordered to pay more than £6,500 at Luton Magistrates' Court after investigations by the council's Enviro Crime team.

Among them was La Pinata Limited, of St Cuthbert Street, Bedford, which was fined £400, and must pay a victim surcharge of £160 and costs of £1,666 following reports of misusing household waste bins and fly-tipping.

The Mexican restaurant's company director Dilzar Miah was also ordered to pay a £400 fine along with a £160 victim surcharge after failing to attend court.

High Street business Bedford Fruit & Veg Limited was ordered to pay a fine of £400, a victim surcharge of £160 and costs of £767 after the business left a commercial waste bin on a footpath, despite requests to move it.

In a separate case, officers traced a van-sized fly-tip found in Dane Street to Suadade café in Harpur Street.

The council said owner Sandy Miranda failed to assist the council investigation and was ordered to pay a fine of £400 alongside a victim surcharge of £176 and costs of £1,835.

Councillor Andrea Spice said it showed the council "will not tolerate environmental crime".

"Fly-tipping and waste offences blight our communities, damage local pride and cost taxpayers money to clear up," she said.

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