A man who paid two men in a van £10 to remove waste from his home has been ordered to pay more than £600 after his rubbish was found fly-tipped in Bootle. Lee McMullen's address was discovered among waste dumped in Grogan Square, prompting Sefton Council to issue a warning about unlicensed waste collectors.
Fixed Penalty Notice Issued
McMullen admitted to environmental enforcement officers that he had failed to check whether the men he paid were legitimate, licensed waste carriers. He was issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) for breaching his Householder Duty of Care but did not pay it.
After failing to attend court, he was arrested on a warrant. He later pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay more than £600.
Council Warning During Campaign
Sefton Council issued the warning during Keep Britain Tidy Fight Fly Tipping Fortnight, urging residents to verify that anyone taking away their waste is licensed. The council advises residents to ask for a waste carrier licence, check the number on the Environment Agency's public register, and ensure they receive a receipt from the collector.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, Cllr Peter Harvey, cabinet member for cleansing and street scene, said: “Residents need to be careful who they pay to remove their waste. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
“Rogue traders often present themselves as a quick and easy solution, offering to take away items such as an old fridge freezer for a small amount of money.
“If your waste is fly-tipped, you are responsible. Householders have a legal duty of care to ensure their waste is passed to a licensed carrier.”
Second Case in Bootle
He also mentioned a separate case on Holly Street in Bootle, where three bags were found left beside an alleyway and later linked to a resident on the street. That resident admitted responsibility during an interview with enforcement officers. After ignoring an FPN, he appeared in court in September 2026, pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay.
