A man who illegally dumped oil-filled barrels at locations across Colchester has been sentenced following a lengthy investigation by Colchester City Council's Street Care and Safety team.
Between February and March 2025, a series of large-scale fly-tipping incidents involving blue barrels abandoned across the city were reported to the council. Investigations found the barrels contained used motor oil, creating a potential risk to the environment and requiring specialist removal and disposal.
Following extensive enquiries by our Street Care and Safety team, council officers identified Benjamin Perry as being responsible for the illegal waste dumping.
At Ipswich Crown Court on 22 September 2026, Perry pleaded guilty to the offences and was handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence. The suspended sentence means Perry could face imprisonment if he commits further offences. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work.
Investigation led to guilty plea
The council's investigation culminated in Perry being interviewed under caution, where he admitted responsibility for the offences.
The council's investigation culminated in Perry being interviewed under caution, where he admitted responsibility for the offences.
The successful prosecution followed many months of detailed investigative, where council officers gathered evidence from multiple locations, carried out extensive enquiries, prepared witness statements and compiled a case robust enough to be presented before the courts.
Due to the seriousness of the environmental crime and its impact, the case was referred from Colchester Magistrates' Court to Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing.
As part of the sentence, Perry was ordered to pay £1,400 in costs to Colchester City Council to help cover the expense of removing and safely disposing of the waste. The court ordered the costs to be paid at £200 per month, with further action possible if payments are not made.
Protecting communities from environmental crime
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: "Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It damages our environment, spoils local neighbourhoods and leaves taxpayers to pick up the cost of clearing it up.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: "Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It damages our environment, spoils local neighbourhoods and leaves taxpayers to pick up the cost of clearing it up.
"This case shows that we will investigate reports thoroughly and take action against those responsible. I'd like to thank our Street Care and Safety team for their persistence in helping to bring this case before the courts, as well as thank residents who report incidents to us."
Report fly-tipping
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence that can harm wildlife, pollute land and water, and create significant clean-up costs for local authorities and taxpayers.
Fly-tipping is a criminal offence that can harm wildlife, pollute land and water, and create significant clean-up costs for local authorities and taxpayers.
Colchester City Council continues to take a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime and encourages residents to report fly-tipping so that offenders can be identified and prosecuted.