Shameless fly-tipper dumps 1,001 BT phone books then tries to blag payment

Imran Zafar, 30, disposed cellophane-wrapped bundles of the books next to a discarded mattress on a city street. CCTV shows Zafar pull up in a silver Ford Fiesta, open the boot, take a single sideways glance and then toss the publications. 

And the shameless yob even tried to claim £62 payment from a company called Effipap for delivering the books.

He ended up being fined by BT for failing to deliver them though and was prosecuted by the authorities.

Zafar admitted charges of depositing controlled waste without a permit and fraud by false representation, Birmingham Live reports.

But the fraudster was spared jail yesterday and instead fined £440 at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

Passing sentence, the chairman of the bench said: "Actions like these where you are dumping so much rubbish at the side of the road will attract a heavy financial penalty."

The court heard a vigilant citizen submitted the CCTV to the council after witnessing the fly-tipping on August 25 last year.

Catherine Ravenscroft, prosecuting, said: "He was videod 35 times lifting large bundles and throwing them on to the side of the street. Photographs demonstrate just what 1,001 books looks like.

"Those were supposed to be delivered by Effipap. Mr Zafar worked self employed and was contracted by them. He agreed to do two routes, the first delivery was for 1,001 books. He picked them up at the agreed time then deposited them on the side of the road.

"He then claimed he had delivered them and asked for payment, which was the fraud."

Birmingham City Council contacted Effipap about the rubbish resulting in the company stopping the payment. However, the firm was fined £140.97 by BT for failing to deliver the books.

Zafar, who lives with his parents in Alum Rock, Birmingham, apologised for his behaviour.

Yaser Taj, defending, said: "He apologises to the court. He understands this should not have happened, he should not have dumped those books and he should not have made a claim they were delivered.

"He is sorry for his actions. He is 30 years old and lives at home with his parents. He is not working and receives Universal Credit."

Zafar must also pay £400 in costs and a £44 victim surcharge.

Reacting to the case Cllr John O'Shea, cabinet member for street scene and parks, said: "The brazen disregard for our shared environment is clear in this case – which has seen an individual openly dump materials on a public highway in broad daylight.

"But I am reassured and pleased we have people in our neighbourhoods who will not stand for this. I want to place on record my thanks to those who submitted their CCTV footage to ensure we could secure this prosecution.

"We know cleaner, greener, streets are a top priority for the people of Birmingham. That is why we are investing an extra £7.2million into services – this includes more CCTV cameras which can be moved around hotspot areas and the upcoming launch of Grime Watch, our YouTube series which will help us gain information on the identity of offenders so we can bring even more prosecutions.

"Those intent on committing environmental crime have been sent a clear message. If you commit these offences, the community will help us to get you convicted and this could cost you your job."