Double fly-tipper ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work

A Swindon resident has been sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid work after admitting 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 1 November where he pleaded guilty to two counts of fly-tipping.

The incidents were reported to Vale of White Horse District Council on 10 June 2024 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 Mr. Panigos’ wife, Lisandra Panigos.  In an interview on 11 July, 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. 

Mr 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.

Cllr Mark Coleman, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Fly-tipping is a serious offense 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.”