Fly-tipper jailed after cyclist seriously injured in Brentwood collision
He was left with a life-threatening head injury
Last updated 1st May 2026
A man who caused a cyclist to suffer life-threatening injuries after fly-tipping on a country lane in Essex has been jailed for 16 months.
Craig Frewin, 36, of Good Easter, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how on 18 September 2024, Frewin dumped rubbish, including pieces asbestos, across Lincolns Lanein Brentwood.
A cyclist in his 60s ended up colliding with the rubbish.
He was left with a life-threatening head injury and had to be air lifted to hospital.
Frewin was identified through CCTV and dashcam footage, which showed him driving a tipper lorry and unloading garden vegetation and a shed just a few hours before the collision.
He was arrested on 15 December 2024.
"Months of hospital treatment"
Detective Constable Alan Marks, who led the investigation, said:
"Fly-tipping isn’t just an eyesore - it can be a lethal hazard.
"In this case, rubbish dumped across a country lane caused a cyclist to come off his bike and suffer a devastating head injury, leaving him with no recollection of what happened and months of hospital treatment.
"What’s especially shocking is the hidden dangers within the waste - asbestos left on the road with a nail protruding, which punctured the bike’s tyre and contributed to this serious collision.
"This family’s life has been changed forever, and it simply did not need to happen. If you produce waste, you have a responsibility to dispose of it legally and safely - and if you pay someone to take it away, make sure they’re a licensed waste carrier. Fly-tips can contain sharp or hazardous items and can put the public at real risk."
"A sense of justice and reassurance"
The cyclist's family said following sentencing: "We are deeply grateful to Essex Police, and in particular the Roads Policing Unit and Serious Collision Investigation Unit officers involved in this case, for their dedication and determination in uncovering the truth.
"The thorough and meticulous investigation, especially the efforts of the officer leading the case, has brought us a sense of justice and reassurance that the person responsible has been held to account."