A TRIO of fly-tippers have been collectively charged almost £4,000 having dumped waste just yards away from their respective homes, the Chronicle can reveal.
Ricky Kilner and Melissa Kelly, both of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, admitted dumping bin bags, children’s toys, paint tins and a shopping trolley in an alleyway between their home street and Beever Street.
Kilner, 39, and Kelly, 29, were each were fined £500, told to pay court costs of £527.50 and a £200 surcharge - totalling £1,227.50 - at a rate of £5 per week.
Kilner was also fined an extra £50 for failing to comply with the requirements of a previously-given community order.
Elsewhere, Calestro Terrill, of Carlton Street, Grimethorpe was given a bill of £1,284 having admitted to dumping household waste and packaging - also on her home street - in October last year.
The 27-year-old was fined £500, told to pay court costs of £584 and a £200 surcharge.
The results have been hailed as a positive step forward by Barnsley Council, who vowed to continue clamping down on those responsible for blighting the environment.
New powers - brought in last year - allowed councils to pursue larger fines than previously dished out and bosses hope the recent convictions will cause people to think twice about their actions given the penalties now available.
A council spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping damages our environment, blights local communities and costs money to clear up.
“We investigate reports of environmental crime and take action against those responsible.
“We will continue to take enforcement action against fly-tipping across the borough.”
According to data, a total of 5,932 reports were logged in 2024/25 - higher than the previous year’s 5,220 and more than any annual total since 2015/16.
The cost of collecting and disposing of illegally-dumped waste rose sharply to £429,397 during the same period, an increase of more than £130,000 on the previous year.
The spokesperson added: “Most people take pride in their neighbourhoods and make sure their waste is disposed of responsibly.
“Unfortunately, when that’s not the case, it can have a negative impact on local communities and the environment.
“We’re committed to reducing fly-tipping and environmental crime across Barnsley, and that includes taking action where laws have been broken.
“Cases like this help reinforce the message that everyone has a role to play in keeping our borough clean, safe and welcoming for all.”
