A man has been sentenced to do 60 hours of unpaid work after illegally disposing of furniture and other waste at two locations near Wantage.

Wellington Panigos, 47, Millgrove Street, Swindon, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, November 1 where he pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping.

The incidents were reported to Vale of White Horse District Council on June 10 after wooden furniture and household waste were discovered at Silver Lane in West Challow and Eastmanton Lane in Sparsholt. 

Council envirocrime enforcement officers investigated the fly-tips and found an invoice which was traced back to Panigos’ wife, Lisandra Panigos. 

In an interview on July 11, Lisandra Panigos confirmed that her husband had disposed of the waste during a property clearance prior to a house move.

Under caution, Wellington Panigos then admitted responsibility for the fly-tip. 

Panigos was sentenced to a community order requiring 60 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within 12 months. He was additionally ordered to pay £913.68 in costs and £203.06 in compensation.

Councillor Mark Coleman, cabinet member for environmental services and waste, said: “Fly-tipping is a serious offence that impacts our communities and environment. 

"By law, anyone who is removing waste, or has it removed from their property, is responsible for ensuring that it’s disposed of legally and we will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone who fails to do so.”

For details on how to report fly-tipping in the Vale of White Horse, visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk/flytipping. 

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