Fly-tipping builder fined £5,000 by magistrates after dumping waste in Rugby borough village
A builder who charged customers in Shilton extra to dispose of building waste before dumping it illegally in the village has been fined £5,000.
Rugby Borough Council's environmental protection team launched an investigation into Nicholas Cleveley after one of his customers reported building waste had been dumped in Hallway Drive.
The investigation established Worcester-based Cleveley had installed resin driveways at three homes in the village, offering to remove and dispose of the building waste for an additional fee - in one case, an extra £150.
But witnesses spotted Cleveley dumping the building waste in Hallway Drive from 7 April to 11 April 2025 and made a note of his vehicle's registration.
The investigation traced the vehicle to a rental company, which confirmed it was leased to Cleveley at the time of the offence.
Cleveley was contacted by the council by letter in June 2025 and, after speaking to the officer leading the investigation, a telephone interview under caution was arranged.
But when Cleveley failed to answer his phone for the interview, he was served with a Section 108 notice, requiring him to attend the Town Hall in person for interview on 2 September 2025.
He failed to attend.
At Coventry Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (21 October), Cleveley was found guilty in his absence of fly-tipping.
He was fined £5,000 for the offence and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000.
Magistrates also ordered Cleveley to pay the council's costs of £2,023, which included the cost of removing the fly-tip.
Speaking after the hearing, Cllr Sam Edwards, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for the environment and climate, said: "Fly-tipping damages our environment and leaves taxpayers to foot the clean-up bill, a bill which totalled £161,000 in Rugby from July 2025 to July 2026.
"The council investigates every reported fly-tip to try and establish who dumped the waste or who the waste belonged to, and we have no hesitation in taking cases to court when we find the evidence.
"But we all have a part to play in fighting fly-tipping, so I'd urge all residents to carry out due diligence on waste traders before handing over money to someone to dispose of your rubbish."
The council joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy's Fight Fly-tipping Fortnight earlier this month, reminding residents to avoid rogue waste traders by taking three simple steps: ask for a waste carrier licence; check the licence number on the Environment Agency's online public register or call 0300 065 3000 and make sure you get a receipt.
Cllr Claire Edwards, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities, housing and safety, said: "This successful prosecution followed a detailed investigation by our environmental protection team and underlines the council's commitment to taking on the fly-tippers who put personal profit ahead of our communities and the environment.
"Residents can help us take the fight to the fly-tippers by following the three simple steps to make sure you're handing money to a licensed waste carrier rather than a rogue trader.
"Remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is."
To report fly-tipping, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/fly-tipping