Customers back Cleethorpes firm Marshall's Removals and Clearances who have been fined for fly-tipping

A PETITION and Facebook campaign page have been launched in support of a Cleethorpes businessman who claims he has been wrongly convicted of fly- tipping.

As reported, Andrew Marshall and his firm Marshall's Removals And Clearances were ordered to pay £6,000 after being found guilty of dumping a kitchen at the side of the road in Well, near Alford, in July.

'We wouldn't fly-tip': Andy Marshall, from Marshall's Removals, is appealing against his conviction for fly-tipping.
'Great service': Andy Marshall, right, of Marshall's Removals, is appealing against his conviction for fly-tipping and regular customer Ray Hutton has set up a petition in his support.

District Judge John Stobart, sitting at Skegness Magistrates' Court, heard East Lindsey District Council had brought the case against Mr Marshall and his firm after a witness spotted the kitchen units and even an integral cooker being dumped in Well, near Alford, on July 10 last year.

Following a two-day trial, Mr Marshall was found guilty and personally fined £1,000. The firm, which faced a separate charge, was also found guilty and fined £2,000.

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The court also ordered him to personally pay £1,500 in costs to ELDC and the company to pay a further £1,575.42.

However, Mr Marshall, of Fuller Street, is taking steps to appeal against the prosecution and a number of the firm's loyal customers are getting behind him.

He said: "We have been in business for more than 15 months now and have more that 5,000 satisfied customers.

"We are also regular customers of waste transfer stations. We wouldn't fly-tip."

Since news of his conviction broke, Ray Hutton, of Grimsby, who has used the firm five times since it started trading, has set up an online petition called Marshalls Injustice – which has been signed by 103 people.

He said: "I set up the site after getting angry at what had happened. I think it's an injustice but didn't know what to do about it.

"They offer a great service, he's a nice chap and has nice lads working for him, too – they just go out of their way to do any job.

"We're asking anyone who agrees that the court's decision is wrong to sign this petition. I know new and old customers of Marshall's hold this company with the utmost regard and will sign.

"This man is going through hell, so I want to help him and the family."

A Facebook page called Show Support For Marshalls Removals has also been created, which has 128 members.

The page was set up by Chris Howden, who said: "This page was created to show Andy and his family the support that we all know they deserve due to recent events that have happened to them. Andy and his company have done well for themselves and I just want people to show their support to the family."

Numerous messages of support have also been posted on the page.

A spokesman for ELDC said: "Fly-tipping is unacceptable and a blight on our communities and we will always take action against those caught committing this offence."

Find out more

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for further updates.

The petition is at www.thepetitionsite.com/184/464/429/marshalls-injustice/?cid=FB_TAF