FORTY-eight bin bags dumped on wasteland were traced back to a Blackburn clothing company after environmental health officers found invoices and other paperwork.

Blackburn magistrates heard the rubbish had come from Stanley Clothing Company Ltd, and that an employee had dumped it when he found the waste management centre was closed.

Sabir Patel, company secretary, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a duty of care in respect of the waste, and Salim Asmal, 21, of Altom Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to tipping the waste. They were each fined £200 and ordered to pay £400 costs.

Alan Fairhurst, prosecuting on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said the environmental health department had received a complaint of a large quantity of rubbish being tipped on land next to Pets Choice on Gladstone Street.

Officers found invoices, telephone bills and other documentation identifying Stanley Clothing Company as the source.

Sabir Patel had been unaware of the tipping until informed by environmental health officers.

He explained that the company had a contract with Neale's Waste Management for the disposal of their waste.

John Dewhurst, defending Salim Asmal, said the tipping had taken place on Good Friday when Asmal's duties included clearing out the waste. He said Asmal had made two trips to Neales but when he arrived with the third load they had shut early.

Mr Dewhurst said Asmal had been given permission to keep the van for the weekend but he needed it empty and not full.

"Foolishly, of his own volition, and his employers knew nothing about this, he went and dumped the rubbish," said Mr Dewhurst.

"He intended to go back and pick it up at the end of the weekend and take it to Neales, but that never happened."

Deborah Hayden-Pawson, defending Patel, said the offence he faced was one of now showing enough care to ensuring his employees were doing with the waste what they should be.

She produced documentary evidence that showed the waste was taken to Neales monthly.

"He has in the past done as much as he thought he could in regards to the disposal of waste from his factory," said Mrs Hayden-Pawson.

"He will ensure, in future, that his employees return from delivering the waste and immediately hand the dockets to him."

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