Man sentenced after Facebook waste scam ends in fly-tipping

A Bridgend man who advertised waste removal services on Facebook has been sentenced after dumping rubbish at two locations across the valleys and setting fire to one load.

Nicholas Blackwell, 35, of Madoc Close, Brackla, appeared at Swansea Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to two offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the unlawful deposit of household waste.

The court heard how Blackwell had been hired by residents who responded to his Facebook advertisement for waste removal services. However, instead of disposing of their rubbish legally, he dumped it at two separate locations in late 2024.

The first incident occurred in October 2024 at Heol Y Felin, Croeserw, where a large quantity of household waste was found dumped and set alight. A month later, in November 2024, more waste appeared on waste ground off Chain Road, Glynneath, including a mattress, rug, suitcase, cardboard packaging, baby walker, television, black bags, carrier bags and white plastic piping.

Evidence recovered from the dumped waste was traced back to residents who had paid Blackwell to remove it. When investigators checked with Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency, they discovered Blackwell did not hold a valid Waste Carrier Licence.

During the investigation, Neath Port Talbot Council seized a white Mercedes Sprinter van linked to Blackwell, which was later crushed. The vehicle was unregistered and deemed unfit for the road.

Blackwell received a 12-month Community Order and must complete 160 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs, £255.04 in compensation for the clean-up operation, and a £164 victim surcharge.

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and will not be tolerated. This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling environmental crime and holding offenders to account. We urge residents to ensure anyone removing waste on their behalf is a registered waste carrier. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues in South Wales Police for assisting our Waste Enforcement team in this complex investigation.”

The council has reminded residents that they can face prosecution if waste they’ve paid someone to remove is later found fly-tipped, particularly if they failed to check the person held a valid waste carrier licence.