A FLY-TIPPING workman from Drumchapel has been jailed after he dropped more than 51 tonnes of rubbish at a waste ground.
Declan Clarke was sentenced to 11 months in prison at Glasgow Sheriff Court after he had previously plead guilty to an environmental breach.
Clarke dumped 51 tonnes of tyres which were later set ablaze, in Drumchapel, causing flight disruption at Glasgow Airport, in July 2020.
The court heard that between June and August 2020 a large number of tyres were fly tipped in the Drumchapel area.
The vast majority of the tyres were dumped at Dalsetter Crescent, an area of waste ground between ALDI and Dalsetter Business Centre.
Other deposition sites in the area were Drummore Road, Glenkirk Drive and the Donald Dewar Centre.
In addition to the sites around Drumchapel, approximately 500 tyres were dumped at Gartloch Farm, near Gartcosh, between October 8-22, 2020 and then again on November 13.
A wildlife camera installed at Gartloch Farm captured footage of Clarke, using a number of different hire vans, dumping tyres on the land.
Then on November 20 police executed a search warrant for Clarke’s home and found him hiding under a bed.
During the search a key for another hire van was found. That van was parked outside his flat and was found to be full of tyres.
A mobile phone was also seized which was found to contain messages between Clarke and proprietors of vehicle garages and tyre fitters in which the collection of tyres was discussed.
From the messages it appears that the Clarke was charging between £1-£2 per tyre. In one message dated November 18 he stated, "it's getting a bit hot to get rid of them."
The court was advised that on the evening of July 24, 2020, much of the waste at Dalsetter Crescent was consumed by fire, which disrupted flights at Glasgow Airport due to the smoke.
Two days later the remnants were cleared by Glasgow City Council. After the fire the debris consisted of 51 tonnes of tyres and 17 tonnes of household waste.
Glasgow City Council cleansing staff believed the volume of waste was significantly reduced by the fire.
The cost of cleaning up Dalsetter Crescent was £7245.16. The estimated cost of cleaning up Gartloch Farm is £120,000 and a further £2800 to dispose of the remaining tyres.
Fiona Caldwell, procurator fiscal for wildlife and environment at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “Fly tipping causes the public real and legitimate concern. It is criminal behaviour which creates an eyesore and is costly to clear up and one that the local council must often carry.
“Declan Clarke’s deliberate and criminal action showed a lack of consideration for the environment and undermines legitimate waste management companies.
“There is no excuse for illegal dumping of waste and those who choose to engage in it will be brought to account for their actions.”
