Article
Port Talbot Woman Prosecuted After Ignoring Council’s Fly-tipping Investigation
10 November 2026
A woman from Port Talbot has been fined after repeatedly failing to cooperate with an investigation into illegally dumped waste found near a reservoir.
Enforcement officers from Neath Port Talbot Council were called to the Goytre to Bryn Road near Cwm Wernderi Reservoir on 10th June (2026), where 5 black bags were discovered, containing a mixture of household waste, children’s toys and clothing.
Evidence led officers to Danielle Rigdon in Port Talbot, and officers made several attempts to contact her, including telephone calls, written correspondence, a home visit and invitations to attend formal interviews.
When those efforts failed, Ms Rigdon was served with a Notice under Section 108(4)(c) and (j) of the Environment Act 1995. This means she was legally required to attend Neath Civic Centre at the given time and date or contact the officer directly to arrange a suitable date to attend. Ms Rigdon failed to comply with the notice and did not respond to further attempts to contact her.
At Swansea Magistrates' Court on 29th October, Danielle Rigdon of Lake Road, Sandfields, Port Talbot was found guilty of failing to comply with a Notice under Section 108(4)(c) and (j) of the Environment Act 1995.
She was fined £660 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £264 and costs of £713.50, bringing the total amount payable to £1637.50.
Councillor Carl Jordan, Cabinet Member for Streetscene at Neath Port Talbot Council, said:
"Our officers made several attempts to contact Ms Rigdon, offering her opportunities to engage with the investigation. These chances were ignored.
“Environmental notices are an important part of our efforts to investigate fly-tipping and other waste offences. Failing to comply with a lawful notice is a serious matter and, as this case shows, can result in prosecution.”
You can check your nearest recycling centre, book a slot, and report fly-tipping through a myNPT account: https://my.npt.gov.uk or via the Neath Port Talbot Council website: Recycling centres - NPT Council