A fly tipper investigated by BBC One’s Rogue Traders, with the assistance of evidence provided by SmartWater forensic technology, has been convicted by Kent magistrates.
Samuel Henry Dighton, 37, from New Ash Green in Kent pleaded guilty to fly tipping, receiving a £750 fine, plus a £230 clean-up bill, a £500 prosecution bill and a £15 victim surcharge. <br><br>The case against Mr Dighton followed several reported incidents of fly tipping in Hartley Bottom Road, New Ash Green, in Kent. The area of outstanding natural beauty had been blighted by waste dumping. Items discarded included tree cuttings, household and commercial waste, as well as details and records belonging to Mr Dighton’s two businesses, Hollingbourne Nurseries and Woodside Nurseries. <br><br>BBC One’s Rogue Traders planned a hi-tech ‘sting’ operation in which Dighton was paid £180 to properly dispose of an assortment of household items and rubbish. Prior to the removal of the items, they were all tagged with SmartWater – a forensic solution which is invisible under normal light but carries a DNA-style signature making the items uniquely identifiable.<br><br>The waste was found later the same day in Hartley Bottom Road, and video and forensic evidence was taken at the scene. Following the broadcast of the programme earlier this year, a prosecution was undertaken by Kent County Council in partnership with Sevenoaks District Council using footage from Rogue Traders and the forensic evidence provided by SmartWater.<br><br>Phil Cleary, Chief Executive of SmartWater said: "By marking the waste with SmartWater we were able to irrefutably prove that they were the same items collected by Samuel Dighton. SmartWater was happy to be of assistance in this matter, and we will continue working with local authorities and the Police to tackle fly tipping and other crimes."<br><br>Mike Austerberry, Executive Director of Environment, Highways & Waste, commenting on behalf of Kent County Council said: "Fly tipping is a damaging and illegal activity which is often linked to other serious crimes. Through the Clean Kent Campaign, local authorities will not hesitate to bring offenders to justice, seeking criminal convictions and financial redress. Kent as a county is to be valued and protected from those engaging in environmental crime."<br><br>And Avril Hunter, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said: "Fly tipping is a problem that is of concern to our residents. The message is clear, fly tippers should be aware that we have the ways and the means to catch you, and we will."
