Man convicted after illegally camping, fly-tipping and threatening council staff

[Hereford Voice]

Herefordshire Council has secured convictions against a man who failed to leave council owned land.

On Tuesday 9 September 2025, at Hereford Magistrates’ Court, the court heard how on 2 January 2025, Tyson Biddle, aged 21, of no fixed abode, was found residing in a caravan and vehicle on land at Openfields caravan site, Bromyard, and occupying a plot without consent.

The council served a Section 77 Direction to Leave under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, requiring Mr Biddle to vacate the site by 5pm on 5 January 2025. Mr Biddle failed to comply with the notice and council officers obtained a Section 78 Removal Order.

The court was told that Mr Biddle then purchased a new caravan and without permission, began residing on the main roadway of the Openfields site. A second Section 77 Direction to Leave was served, which Mr Biddle again failed to comply with.

CCTV showed Mr Biddle dismantling his original caravan and setting fire to it and other items over an eight-hour period on 20 February 2025, causing several explosions and thick black smoke across the Openfields site and neighbouring land. Following a complaint, council officers attended the next day to investigate and were subjected to abuse and aggressive behaviour and were obstructed from leaving the site. West Mercia Police investigated the incident, and Mr Biddle was charged with a public order offence.

Mr Biddle was brought to court on 9 September by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and convicted of a fly-tipping offence and of using threatening, abusive or insulting words towards a council officer. He was ordered to pay costs of £1,049 and a received a community order for 18 months, including 25 rehabilitation days under a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR).

Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulation & Technical Services at Herefordshire Council, said:

“Our message is clear - those who ignore lawful directions, blight our environment with waste, or intimidate public servants will face firm action. I’m grateful to our Gypsy Traveller Team, colleagues across the council, West Mercia Police and the CPS for their work to protect residents and support our officers. We will continue to use every available power to keep Herefordshire safe and clean.”