'Selfish' Mercedes driver publicly shamed as car crushed in Wiltshire

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A Mercedes used in a fly-tipping offence and then displayed outside the council HQ has been crushed.

The vehicle was seized in partnership with Wiltshire Police and destroyed by Wiltshire Council after it was caught on CCTV dumping plastic pipes in Bulford on May 11.

Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "We always look to reuse or recycle seized vehicles where possible, but this one had done more than 215,000 miles and was not in a fit state to resell, so it has now been crushed as a clear warning to anyone thinking of fly-tipping in Wiltshire.

"This action is designed to send a strong message – offenders risk not only fines, but also losing their vehicles."

The Mercedes has been crushed by Wiltshire Council. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

The person responsible for the offence was issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice, which remains unpaid, and the vehicle was forfeited after the driver failed to provide proof of ownership within the required 15 days.

Before being crushed, the vehicle was publicly displayed outside County Hall in Trowbridge as a warning to others.

Cllr Smith said: "Fly-tipping is a selfish, criminal act that harms our communities and costs taxpayers thousands of pounds every year.

"We will not tolerate it and will continue to use every tool available – including CCTV, fines and vehicle seizures – to crack down on offenders."

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