TWO people caught fly-tipping have each been handed a £735 fine after dumping waste across Marlborough and Lambourne.

Stuart Coventry 33, and Mr Kevin Fidler, 66, both of Two Saints Hostel, New Town Road, Newbury pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court to dropping rubbish in the Wiltshire countryside illegally.

The court heard the pair had used social media to advertise waste clearance services but instead of going to a proper commercial tip to get rid of customer waste, they fly-tipped it on grassy verges.

Wiltshire Council tracked down the men after getting a tip off about the illegal activity. They were each given a £735 fine and were warned by magistrates they could face jail if caught again.

Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways and waste said, “Yet another fly-tipping prosecution which shows that We will not give up chasing fly-tippers and bring them to justice, even when there is limited initial information about the fly-tippers, other than a name. We strongly advise against using ‘man with a van’ rubbish clearance services without fully checking they are licensed to take waste away and noting down their waste carriers license number."

“In addition, residents and businesses should make a note of any vehicle details, vehicle registration, person descriptions and always request a receipt for their work. If someone offers to take your waste away for a price that sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and your rubbish will most likely end up dumped in our beautiful countryside. You may also find yourself with a £200 fixed penalty notice and a bill for the clear up costs.”

Anyone caught fly-tipping will be prosecuted and taken to court where they face an unlimited fine or imprisonment, and a criminal record.

Wiltshire Council advises residents not to touch or go through fly-tipped waste themselves, but to report it directly by using their online reporting tool ‘My Wiltshire’ which can be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywiltshire-online-reporting