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Glasgow resident served with £2,615 civil penalty by Scotland’s environment regulator for fly tipping

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued the Variable Monetary Penalty (VMP) to Shaun Dougela following an investigation by SEPA officers into the deposit of controlled waste. He was also required to pay SEPA costs of £784.70. 

SEPA were initially contacted by Glasgow City Council, following a report of fly tipping at Napier Terrace in August 2023 where two males had been seen emptying two sofas, cushions and sheets of wood before driving off. 

SEPA’s investigations confirmed that vehicle which had been reported for illegally dumping the waste had been rented by Mr Dougela. Further investigation also confirmed that there was no waste management licence in place at Napier Terrace, nor was a Waste Carriers Licence held by Mr Dougela.  

Mr Dougela was invited to an interview under caution by SEPA officers in January 2024 but did not respond. 

George Hope, Unit Manager in SEPA’s Enforcement Support team, said: 

“Fly tipping is not just an eyesore: it can cause serious harm to our environment, wildlife and communities. It places an unnecessary burden on landowners, councils and taxpayers – diverting money and resources that could be better used elsewhere, to clear it up. 

“SEPA is committed to tackling this issue. As outlined in the Scottish Government’s National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, collaboration across agencies is essential. By working more closely with local authorities, like Glasgow City Council, we can strengthen enforcement efforts, hold offenders accountable and better protect Scotland’s environment and communities from the selfish and criminal behaviour of those who fly tip waste. 

“SEPA’s ability to issue VMPs is a significant addition to enforcement against fly tippers in Scotland. We will work with our local authority partners, who are the first port of call for fly tipping reports, to identify suspects and exercise our power to issue VMPs. We hope the penalty imposed on Mr Dougela, plus payment of SEPA’s costs, demonstrates our commitment to taking enforcement action – and acts as a deterrent to others.” 

Councillor Laura Doherty, City Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets. 

“We are very pleased to have worked with SEPA to ensure this unscrupulous fly-tipper faces the consequences of his actions. 

“There is no excuse for fly-tipping and this case shows where there is evidence of illegal dumping, enforcement action will be taken against those responsible. 

“SEPA has access to different powers from the council and that means they have the ability to serve stiffer penalties on culprits. 

“We are very grateful for SEPA’s support on this matter but also for the response from local residents, who played a crucial role in identifying the person responsible. 

“This penalty notice should serve as a warning to fly-tippers that communities are fed-up of their environmental crimes and that agencies will work together to bring them to account.” 

Civil penalties

VMPs are discretionary financial penalties which SEPA can impose for a relevant offence following an appropriate investigation. They sit alongside other enforcement tools available to SEPA staff, including advice and guidance, final warning letters, statutory enforcement notices, other civil penalties, including Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) and reports to the Procurator Fiscal. 

SEPA have determined that the amount of the variable monetary penalty is £2,615.68 for this offence. 

SEPA’s enforcement action is designed to secure compliance with regulatory requirements, protecting and improving the environment. It aims to bring activity under regulatory control, stop offending, stop harm and/or reduce the risk of harm arising from non-compliance. It is also designed to ensure restoration or remediation of harm caused by regulatory non-compliance where appropriate. 

Notes to Editors

SEPA are satisfied that on 25 August 2023, Shaun Dougela, knowingly caused controlled waste to be deposited on land at Napier Terrace, Glasgow without the authority of a waste management licence in that controlled waste was carried in and deposited from a motor vehicle, and Shaun Dougela was the person who controlled the vehicle or was in a position to control the use of the vehicle, whether or not he gave instructions for this to be done. 

Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) cover a wide range of environmental offences, including offences under The Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and the Pollution, Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012. 

Information on Variable Monetary Penalties imposed is available on SEPA’s website at Penalties imposed and undertakings accepted, along with details of Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) and Enforcement Undertakings accepted. 

Information on how a VMP is calculated is available on SEPA’s website.