A FLY-TIPPER has been fined after disposing his business waste at Haugh Woods, near Hereford.

Sam Luke Richards, formerly of Meadow Park, Hereford, appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court after Herefordshire Council found evidence of fly tipped waste relating to a business that he owned.

The 32-year-old informed the investigating officer that he had obtained details from the profile of an individual, advertising as a waste collector on Facebook, and had paid the person to take his business waste away.

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However, enforcement officers discovered that Richards had fabricated the story, provided false information and had made a fake Facebook profile of the waste collector.

Richards, now of Bilford Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to fly tipping and transporting waste without a waste carriers licence and was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,880.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s Head of Public Protection, said: “Here we see yet another case where someone thinks it’s ok to dump rubbish and then cover your tracks by making up a story when challenged by our enforcement officers.

"Using the excellent evidence provided by our officers, we are pleased that the court saw through this and fined him, also helping us to recover some of our costs.”

The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is an unlimited fine and/or five years' imprisonment. Fly tipping can be reported via Herefordshire Council's website, or by calling 01432 261761.

For more information about responsible waste disposal, visit herefordshire.gov.uk/recycling