Wiltshire Council has successfully prosecuted a Swindon man who fly-tipped a load of household waste at the entrance to a field near Royal Wootton Bassett.

Luiz Martinelli, of Temple Street, Swindon, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday 18 September, where he pleaded guilty to depositing controlled waste on land without an environmental permit (commonly known as fly-tipping). He was a total of £2,400, including costs and a victim surcharge.

The prosecution followed an investigation by the council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers after a fly-tip was reported on Marlborough Road, Royal Wootton Bassett, in October 2025. The dumped waste included bed bases, mattresses and a bedside cabinet.

Officers attended the scene and evidence linked it to Mr Martinelli. He was subsequently invited to attend an interview under caution. After failing to attend two scheduled interviews, Mr Martinelli eventually attended a third interview, where he admitted the waste was his and accepted responsibility for dumping it.

A £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) was issued, offering Mr Martinelli the opportunity to avoid prosecution. However, no payment was received and the council proceeded with legal action.

David Bullock, Director of Assets, Highways and Waste, said: “There’s simply no excuse for dumping waste in our countryside. Not only does fly-tipping damage the environment and spoil our rural landscapes, it also leaves taxpayers footing the bill for clearing it up.

“In this case, the evidence led directly to the offender, who then admitted responsibility for the waste. He was given the opportunity to resolve the matter through a fixed penalty notice but failed to do so and so we took the case to court.

“We will continue to pursue fly-tippers wherever the evidence takes us. If you choose to dump waste illegally in Wiltshire, you should expect to face enforcement action and potentially prosecution through the courts.”

To find out more about how the council is tackling fly-tipping in Wiltshire, or to report an incident, visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping.