A company director who was caught fly-tipping asked a council officer, 'How do I make this go away so it doesn’t go to court?' The remark was made during an interview with a neighbourhood warden from Durham County Council.
CCTV captures waste dumping
The case involved three men convicted of dumping waste at Pit House Lane in Leamside, County Durham. A neighbourhood warden visited the site after CCTV cameras were installed. Footage showed five deposits of commercial waste from three vehicles in June and July 2025. The waste included roof tiles, plastic guttering, drainpipes, pallets, and sheets of hardboard.
One vehicle bore branding for Delta Rooflines NE Ltd, and one of the males wore a t-shirt with the same logo. David Adams, 46, of Oak Terrace Road, Middlesbrough, and David Adams, 21, of Hebron Drive, Middlesbrough, were identified from the footage. Baily Patrick George Baldwin, 22, of Desford Green, Middlesbrough, was identified via Companies House as the sole director of the company.
Court proceedings and fines
Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard how a council officer carried out DVLA checks on the three vehicles and confirmed addresses with insurance checks. During a visit to one address, officers spotted the Delta Rooflines NE Ltd vehicle parked outside. Letters were sent to the younger Adams between September 2025 and March 2026 but went unanswered. Letters were also sent to Baldwin and the elder Adams.
The elder Adams contacted the council on October 30, 2025, claiming he had sold the vehicle months before the fly-tip. He was asked for proof of sale as the vehicle was seen outside his home on July 27, 2025, but no documentation was provided. Baldwin attended an interview and asked the neighbourhood warden how to avoid court. He accepted five Fixed Penalty Notices but failed to pay. After further interviews, he replied 'no comment' when the offences were put to him.
Baldwin was convicted of five fly-tipping offences and five duty of care offences, failing to produce authority to transport waste, and failing to provide documentation. He pleaded guilty on the basis of being the company director but claimed he did not know about the fly-tipping. The younger Adams admitted four fly-tipping offences, and the elder Adams admitted two fly-tipping offences and failing to provide documentation.
The elder Adams was ordered to pay £1,594, the younger Adams £1,645, and Baldwin £2,280, including fines, victim surcharge, and cleanup costs.
Council response
Ian Hoult, neighbourhood protection manager at Durham County Council, said: 'This is a known hotspot for fly tipping, so we’re pleased that the cameras we installed in the area captured the trio and helped us take action against those responsible. Installing cameras is just one of the many measures we use to deter fly tipping.'
'We take fly tipping very seriously in our county as it is a scourge on the environment and ruins the landscape for everyone else. Cases like these undercut legitimate traders and this demonstrates the severity of punishment to those caught doing it.' He urged residents to ensure waste is disposed of correctly by using legitimate businesses or council recycling centres.
