Man jailed for fly-tipping around South East Cornwall
50-year-old Kirk Bignell admitted seven offences of fly-tipping
A 50-year-old man has been jailed after repeatedly dumping rubbish across South East Cornwall.
Kirk Robert Bignell, who is from Lanreath near Looe, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on 14th January 2026 after admitting to seven charges of illegally depositing controlled waste on land without consent (Environmental Protection Act 1990.)
Using the names “KB Van and Man” and “Scrap Beez,” Bignell advertised waste collection services on social media despite not having a waste carrier’s licence.
He was paid by businesses and households to remove items but then dumped these in rural spots across East Cornwall.
The dumped waste included commercial fridges, furniture, building materials, and household rubbish.
Offences Over a Year
Cornwall Council’s Community Protection team investigated the dumped waste and tracked it back to Bignell.
The offences occurred between July 2023 and July 2024.
Bignell was originally charged with six offences; however, after being caught dumping more waste in the same area, he was charged with a seventh offence.
The court heard Bignell was already under a suspended sentence for benefit fraud when the offences took place.
Judge Simon Carr sentenced Bignell to 12 months in prison for the fly-tipping offences and activated an additional two months from his previous suspended sentence.
Council Warning
Councillor Thalia Marrington, Cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “We will not tolerate fly-tipping in Cornwall. It puts people and wildlife in danger and costs a significant amount of money to clear, which comes at the cost of taxpayers and private landowners.
“Kirk Bignell did not have a licence to remove waste and showed a total disregard for the law by continuing to dump waste after he had been charged with several offences.
“He fraudulently claimed to be a legitimate waste carrier duping businesses and householders to pay for services that were not delivered.
“I’d like to remind residents and businesses that if they pay to have waste removed, they must use a licensed waste carrier.”