A man has been ordered to pay £1,075 after CCTV captured a sofa being dumped in Maidstone.

On 30 March 2026, CCTV captured a white van driving into the private service area behind Lockmeadow. Three people got out of the vehicle before a red sofa was removed from the back of the van and left at the site. The group then got back into the van and drove away.

Security staff spotted the incident on CCTV and the footage was passed to Maidstone Borough Council to investigate. Council officers traced the vehicle registration to a building and decorating company in Gillingham. Further enquiries identified 49-year-old Hysusein Hyusein as a director of the company.

A Fixed Penalty Notice was issued, but no response was received and the Council took the case to court.

The case was considered by Medway Magistrates' Court on 27 October 2026 using the Single Justice Procedure. No plea was entered and Hyusein was found guilty on the evidence presented by the council.

He was fined £660 and ordered to pay a £264 victim surcharge and £151 costs, bringing the total to £1,075.

Councillor Clive English, Deputy Leader of Maidstone Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Enforcement said: “This was a brazen act in broad daylight, but those responsible did not realise they were being caught on camera. Our officers traced the vehicle and gathered the evidence needed to take the case to court.

“There is no excuse for fly-tipping and we will take action where we can.

“We also urge residents to Check Before They Chuck and make sure anyone taking away their rubbish is a licensed waste carrier.”

Maidstone Borough Council is supporting the countywide ‘Check Before They Chuck’ campaign, reminding residents that if they pay someone to take away their rubbish, they have a responsibility to make sure it is disposed of legally. Residents should check that the person is a registered waste carrier, ask where their waste will be taken and keep a record of the vehicle registration.

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