A Ramsgate woman has been prosecuted by Thanet council for allowing her vehicle to be used to dump a caravan packed full of asbestos.
On Wednesday 27 August, Emma Davey of Ramsgate, pleaded guilty to allowing her vehicle to be used to illegally dump the caravan on a public road. The hearing was held at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, where she received fines totalling £1,200.
The prosecution follows an incident in July 2023. A caravan in a poor state of repair, full of rubbish and with a collapsed axle, was dumped in the bus lane at St Lawrence High Street in Ramsgate. A witness reported seeing a car attached to the caravan and alerted the council’s Streetscene Enforcement Team.
Enforcement Officers inspected the caravan and discovered a large quantity of asbestos, which had to be cleared using specialist equipment. Further expenses were incurred to decontaminate, remove and dispose of the caravan.
The owner of the vehicle was established through the witness report and CCTV footage from local businesses.
Ms Davey denied owning the vehicle at the time of the offence. She also denied driving the vehicle or knowing anyone else who did. However, during the investigation, police officers stopped the vehicle after several sightings of it towing trailers full of waste. At the scene, the resident identified herself to police as the owner.
Mike Humber, Director of Environment at Thanet District Council, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that Thanet District Council will not tolerate environmental crime. We are dedicated to protecting our local environment and ensuring a clean and safe district for everyone.
“Removing illegally dumped waste or fly-tipped rubbish is a major draw on the council’s resources. Fly-tipping is a criminal offence, and if prosecuted in court can lead to an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment.
“This case highlights our commitment to taking robust action against people who illegally dump waste, and we will continue to pursue offenders who show such disregard for our community.”
Anyone who finds fly-tipped rubbish in Thanet can report it on the website. The page includes a map showing incidents that are currently being investigated.
“fines totalling £1,200”!!!! Depending on the volume of asbestos which isn’t mentioned, if the caravan was completely full and plus the decontamination. Once again a very cheap fine, which is no deterrent.
Have to agree with Gérard, why are the fines so small ?
To remove asbestos is not cheap.
To leave asbestos in a dumped vehicle by the roadside, where it is possible for kids to muck about with it, the fine should be alot more than 1200quid.
1200quid wont cover the investigation, the removal cost, its a joke
£1200……. cheaper than getting a specialist company in to remove the asbestos, yeah, great deterrent. Our police force must regularly think to themselves, why oh why do we bother!
A ridiculously light sentence. Perhaps one day she’ll say something harsh about someone on social media, then they’ll really punish her!
Should have been locked up as well as a massive fine. This is no deterrent at all. Our laws are so daft, display the wrong type of poster at a demonstration and get up to 18 years in prison, potentially infect asbestos dust to anyone near this caravan and it is a small fine. I wonder who is more dangerous. Asbestos kills. Posters just annoy, unless you are planning more sinister things.
This is not the first time this woman has done this in the past, I can well understand why she has done it again the punishment is pathetic. She should have been fined the full cost of disposal plus a £10,000 fine and her car confiscated.
Dirty corrupt cow. Doesn’t give a damn – liar and cheat by sound of it . A real beauty , not an asset to humanity
They should grind the Asbestos up and make her eat it. BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND TEA.
Good job it was spotted and some children could throwing it about.
You should treat Asbestos like a hand grenade dippet in Aids.
The law is available. A £1200 fine that will never be paid. However, she could be imprisoned, but of course they won’t do that.
They should put her in the caravan and send her to france, see if they return her, or put her up in a hotel and feed her at the French taxpayers expense?
Just saying,