A man and woman have been fined £1,000 each for illegally dumping waste using a taxpayer-funded car. The pair were caught on camera parking a black Vauxhall people carrier, provided through the Motability scheme, on the side of Howe Green Lane in Astley, Warwickshire, on May 30.
Footage from security cameras owned by the landowner shows the couple dumping buckets of waste and debris from the vehicle before driving away. Unbeknownst to them, they had parked on private land. The incident led to a joint investigation by Warwickshire Police and North Warwickshire Borough Council.
The couple admitted responsibility for the illegal dumping of waste. Following their admissions, officers seized the vehicle under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Motability contract for the vehicle has since been terminated.
Councillor Margaret Bell, who chairs the local authority's community and environment board, described fly-tipping as a "selfish and illegal act" that damages the environment and burdens taxpayers and landowners. She commended the partnership between the local council and police for their swift action in identifying and holding the culprits accountable.
A spokesperson for Motability Operations stated that the scheme's vehicles are intended to support disabled people and that any misuse is taken very seriously. Following an investigation by their special investigations unit, the individual's contract was terminated to protect the scheme for its intended users.