A “MAN with a van” has had his vehicle crushed after a fly-tipping investigation covering Bradford and Leeds.

Gavin Eastwood appeared at Kirklees Magistrates' Court on Monday where he was found guilty of fly-tipping offences.

Eastwood, 25, of Coppice Wood Crescent, Yeadon, lived at addresses in both Bradford and Leeds during the period of the offences, beginning in July 2022.

His Ford Transit van was identified as being used to fly-tip waste on four separate occasions – twice in Bradford and twice in the Leeds area – after officers were alerted by members of the public.

The Bradford dumping happened on Norbury Road in Ravenscliffe and Dock Lane in Shipley.

On both occasions, he dumped general household waste.

Both Bradford Council and Leeds City Council teams carried out investigations into the incidents, which were also caught on CCTV cameras.

Eastwood denied being involved in any of the incidents but as registered keeper of the van, he was legally responsible for the fly-tipping.

He told officers his occupation was as a ‘scrap man’ or ‘man with a van’ – but admitted to not having a licence to transport waste.

His van was seized in November, with the assistance of West Yorkshire Police, and later crushed.

Mr Eastwood was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months and an 18-month community order comprising 20 rehabilitative activity days and a six-month drug rehabilitation order.

He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to each council.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places at Bradford Council said: “This sends out a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated and once it has been discovered, we will find those who do it and take action.

“This prosecution has only been made possible by the members of the public who reported it and close collaboration with our colleagues at Leeds City Council. We would urge anyone who suspects fly-tipping to report it.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space at Leeds City Council, said: “This is a fantastic result for residents across Leeds and Bradford, bringing a repeated fly-tipper to justice as we continue to crack down on environmental crime.

"We will always work with partners across West Yorkshire to limit criminals’ abilities to fly-tip in our city and beyond and I hope this latest conviction is a warning to anyone thinking of traveling to Leeds or Bradford to fly tip.”