Glasgow: Flykipper who dumped 51 tonnes of tires sentenced to 11 months in prison

A fly dump truck that dumped 51 tons of tires, which then caught fire and caused so many smoke flights, was jailed for 11 months.

Declan Clarke, 30, from Dumbarton, Scotland, collected the tires from workshops, for example, for a fee.

But instead of disposing of them properly, he dumped them in car parks and vacant lots around Glasgow.

Prosecutors said a large number of tires were dumped in the Drumchapel area between June and August 2020, with most being dumped at Dalsetter Crescent.

On July 24, 2020, the rubbish heap burst into flames, creating so much smoke that flights from Glasgow Airport were disrupted. Clarke was not connected to the fire.

When the remains of the fire were cleared by Glasgow City Council workers, they found the debris consisted of 51 tonnes of tires and 17 tonnes of household rubbish.

Around 500 tires were also dumped at Gartloch Farm, near Gartcosh, east of Glasgow, between 8th and 22nd October 2020, while more tires were dumped there on 13th November of the same year.

Because Gartloch Farm is often used as a landfill by fly dumpers, officials had wildlife cameras installed in the area.

Cameras captured Clarke deflating tires in the countryside with a number of different rental cars.

When police searched Clarke’s home on November 20, 2020, he attempted to evade officers by hiding under a bed.

During the search, police found a key to a rental car parked in front of his apartment and full of tires.

Also confiscated was a cell phone containing messages between Clarke and owners of vehicle repair shops and tire fitters arranging tire pickups.

The news revealed that Clarke was charging 1-2 pounds per tire, and in a message dated November 18, 2020, he stated, “It’s getting a little hot to get rid of them.”

Clarke pleaded guilty to disposing of controlled waste, namely used tires, on or in properties other than in accordance with a waste management license, in violation of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, when he appeared in court in April.

When he returned to Glasgow Sheriff Court for today, he was sentenced to 11 months behind bars.

After Clarke was convicted, Fiona Caldwell, District Attorney for Wildlife and Environmental Crimes, said: “Fly tipping is causing real and justifiable public concern.

“It is criminal conduct that is an eyesore and costly to solve, and one that the local council often has to bear.

“Declan Clarke’s willful and criminal actions demonstrated a lack of concern for the environment and undermined legitimate waste disposal operations.

“There is no excuse for dumping waste illegally and those who choose to do so will be held accountable for their actions.”

Prosecutors said the cost of cleaning up Dalsetter Crescent was £7,245.16, while the estimated cost of cleaning up Gartloch Farm was £120,000 and a further £2,800 to dispose of the remaining tyres.

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