This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Mystery surrounds scores of bottles of dumped non-alcoholic wine
A large number of bottles of wine and beer have been found dumped by the road in Kent after possibly being discarded when whoever owned or stole them discovered they were non-alcoholic.
The bottles, packed in round 20 black plastic bin bags, were discovered last week in Manston near the town of Thanet.
The vast majority of them are non-alcoholic Spanish wine Castillo De Salobrena. As reported by local media, the theory is the bottles were dumped when it was realised they were not alcoholic and, therefore, not very valuable (or alcoholic).
Why the bottles were fly tipped is currently something of a mystery. One theory is that they are likely stolen but, if so, there seems to be no clear idea where they were stolen from.
Two local pubs are reported to have suffered break-ins recently but non-alcoholic wine and beer was not among the goods taken from either site.
Local councillor, Suzanne Brimm, whose brother found the bottles, suggested they might have come from a warehouse although there does not appear to have been any reported break-ins in the local area which would confirm this.
On the other hand, perhaps the bottles were picked up on a ‘booze cruise’ across the Channel and then dumped when the buyer realised the fabulously cheap price paid was because they had bought non-alcoholic wine which led to them being thrown away in disgust.
Even if the bottles are not stolen, fly tipping is a criminal offence in the UK. A spokesman for Thanet Council said in a statement: “Fly tipping is an inconsiderate act that damages the environment. It is a blight on roadsides and country lanes that we are determined to tackle.
“This incident will be fully investigated and if possible we will seek to bring a prosecution. Fly tipping is a criminal offence and can result in an unlimited fine or up to five years imprisonment.
“We remind residents that they are responsible for ensuring their waste is properly disposed of, even if they are paying someone else to take it away.”