Restaurant Owner Convicted After Commercial Waste Dumped in Wiltshire Countryside

A Swindon restaurant owner has been convicted following an investigation into a large quantity of commercial waste illegally dumped in the Wiltshire countryside.

The waste was discovered on Chaddington Lane, near Royal Wootton Bassett, in September 2024, after it was reported to Wiltshire Council. Environmental Enforcement officers attending the scene found a substantial amount of rubbish scattered across the countryside.

The waste included rotten food, catering materials, cooking oil containers, cardboard packaging, cleaning products, alcohol bottles, raw meat packaging and plastic milk containers.

An investigation by the council traced the waste back to a restaurant operating on Havelock Street in Swindon. Further enquiries identified the business as Irmas Valerio Limited, whose director is Cintia Vieira da Silva Valerio.

Officers established that the restaurant's commercial waste collections had been suspended between 2 September and 16 October 2024 because of non-payment. The fly-tipping incident took place on 27 September, during the period when collections were suspended.

During an interview with council officers in October 2024, Mrs Vieira da Silva Valerio confirmed that the waste had originated from her restaurant. However, she was unable to explain how it had ended up dumped in the countryside.

As part of the investigation, the company was asked to provide waste transfer documentation showing that its commercial waste had been handed to a registered waste carrier and disposed of legally. Despite the formal request, no documentation was provided.

The council subsequently issued a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). After the penalty remained unpaid, legal proceedings were brought against Mrs Vieira da Silva Valerio for depositing, knowingly causing or knowingly permitting the deposit of controlled waste on land without an environmental permit.

She pleaded not guilty at Swindon Magistrates' Court in July 2025. The case proceeded to trial on 20 October 2026, but Mrs Vieira da Silva Valerio failed to attend court.

The prosecution case was proved in her absence, and the court found her guilty. A warrant has now been issued for her arrest so that she can be brought before the court for sentencing at a later date.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said the incident involved a substantial quantity of commercial waste from Swindon being dumped in the Wiltshire countryside, causing environmental harm and leaving taxpayers to cover the cost of its removal.

He praised the council's Environmental Enforcement officers for tracing the waste back to the business and carrying out an investigation that resulted in a conviction.

Cllr Smith also warned that failing to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice would not make enforcement action disappear, adding that the council would pursue legal proceedings where appropriate.

He reminded businesses that they have a legal responsibility to know what happens to their waste and must ensure it is passed to registered waste carriers and disposed of lawfully.

Under waste duty of care regulations, businesses must only transfer their waste to registered waste carriers, obtain and retain waste transfer notes for at least two years, and take reasonable steps to ensure their waste is handled legally.

Wiltshire Council says it will continue to take action against fly-tipping and businesses that fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

Businesses can find further information about commercial waste responsibilities and lawful disposal on the council's website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping.