Neath Port Talbot Council has successfully prosecuted a Bridgend male for two fly-tipping offences, following a thorough investigation by its Waste Enforcement Team.
Nicholas Blackwell, 35, of Madoc Close, Brackla, Bridgend, was sentenced at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on 18th December 2025 after he pleaded guilty on the 24th July 2025, to two offences under Section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The offences involved the unlawful deposit of household waste at locations in Croeserw and Glynneath in late 2024.
The first incident, at Heol Y Felin, Croeserw, in October 2024, involved a large amount of household waste which had been dumped and set alight. The second, in November 2024, on waste ground off Chain Road, Glynneath, included a mattress, rug, suitcase, cardboard packaging, baby walker, television, black bags, carrier bags and white plastic piping.
Evidence recovered from the waste linked the deposits to residents who had hired Blackwell after seeing his waste removal advert on Facebook. Checks with Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency confirmed Mr Blackwell did not hold a valid Waste Carrier Licence.
During the investigation, a white Mercedes Sprinter van was also seized, which was later crushed by the Council. The vehicle was unregistered and deemed unfit for the road.
At sentencing, Mr Blackwell received a 12-month Community Order, 160 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £500 in costs, £255.04 in compensation for clean-up, and a £164 victim surcharge.
Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said:
“Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling environmental crime and holding offenders to account. We urge residents to ensure anyone removing waste on their behalf is a registered waste carrier. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues in South Wales Police for assisting our Waste Enforcement team in this complex investigation.”
Residents are reminded that failing to use licensed waste carriers can result in prosecution if their waste is found fly-tipped.
