A Chelmsford business has been found guilty at court for failing to provide the details of the driver of their company vehicle who was caught littering in Dagenham.

Victor Building Concepts Ltd, based in Chelmsford, was prosecuted after failing to respond to a legal notice requiring them to identify the driver of a blue Ford Transit van seen discarding a cigarette onto the public highway on Porters Avenue, Dagenham.

The incident, witnessed by a Barking and Dagenham Council Environmental Enforcement Officer on 1 November 2024, led to a formal request for the registered keeper’s details. When the company failed to respond to both the initial notice and a subsequent Notice of Intended Prosecution, the council proceeded with legal action.

The case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 17 June, where the company was found guilty in their absence.

The court imposed a £440 fine, ordered the company to pay £1,024.12 in costs to Barking and Dagenham Council, and issued a £176 victim surcharge, bringing the total penalty to £1,640.12.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “Littering is a blight on our streets, and when businesses fail to cooperate with investigations, we will not hesitate to take action.”