Fly-tipper convicted after dumping junk in back yards

A fly-tipper has been given a 15-month suspended jail sentence after turning other people's back yards into junkyards.

Glen Rennie, 48, of no fixed address, was prosecuted by Gosport Borough Council. He denied two counts of depositing waste without a permit but was found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court after a trial.

The court was told that he took advantage of landowners who were not around from day to day. He used yards behind charity and business premises in Gregson Avenue, Bridgemary, and a service road behind the properties, as his own property - dumping disused vehicles and rubbish. He even used a garage for storage, and changed the locks, without paying rent.

It is believed that Rennie was trading in car parts and items from house clearances. Challenged by property owners and council enforcement officers, he would make excuse after excuse, but never properly cleaned up. At times he blocked attempts to remove the junk by placing large vehicles in the way.

When officers placed a 24-hour removal notice on one or other of his vehicles, Rennie would just move it away for a few weeks and then return it to the same service road.

Between 2019 and 2022, property owners spent almost £15,000 in total on attempts to remove the rubbish. Often, Rennie would simply fill up the land with more junk. He only stopped after the council began its prosecution.

The court was told that he showed a complete disregard for nearby residents, was scathing about the owners of the addresses, and would even sometimes try to cast himself as the injured party. 

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

Cllr Peter Chegwyn, Leader of the Council, said: "This was absolutely appalling behaviour - using other people's land as a dumping ground and ignoring challenges to his activities. I'm very glad that our prosecution managed to bring an end to this nightmare for the property owners and nearby residents."