Couple fined £1,200 for fly-tipping after bin bag ‘stolen from outside their home’

A couple in Lincolnshire, Abigail Swinn, 24, and Travis Raggo, 25, found themselves in trouble with the law after being fined £1,200 for fly-tipping. The issue arose when one of their bin bags, which they claim was stolen from outside their home, was discovered just 30 feet away. Abigail, who works at a nursery and is a mother to three-year-old Lexi, expressed disbelief at the situation, stating that they would not fly-tip near their own home, especially on bin collection day. The couple had placed two bin bags out for collection after clearing out their bedroom, as they had already taken nine bags to the tip and lacked space in their vehicle. Despite following guidelines that allowed up to four bin bags to be left out, Boston Borough Council issued them with £600 fines each.

Abigail explained that they had assumed the bins had been emptied until an enforcement officer accused them of fly-tipping. The council had shared a photo of the discarded refuse bag online as evidence. Abigail mentioned that she suspected someone had stolen the bag, as there was no food in it, and she had seen reports of people pilfering rubbish bags for clothing on social media. The couple reported the incident to the police, who categorised it as antisocial behaviour. Although they have not paid the fines, Abigail expressed concerns about facing a criminal conviction and a £50,000 fine if they lost in court.

Boston Borough Council has the authority to issue Fixed Penalty Notices of up to £1,000 for fly-tipping offences. A council spokesperson emphasized their commitment to tackling environmental crimes, noting that they had issued 237 FPNs in a year. They assured the public that each case would be reviewed thoroughly to ensure the correct procedures were followed. Since the couple’s fines, they have been negotiating with the council in hopes of having them cancelled, reiterating their innocence in the matter.

This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by residents when it comes to waste disposal and the consequences that can arise from misunderstandings or misinterpretations. It serves as a reminder of the importance of proper waste management and the implications of incorrect disposal methods.