A fly-tipper who repeatedly sent his dumped waste up in flames on his own road has been penalised £460.

Jason Willoughby of Stone Street, Stanford South, near Hythe, illegally discarded items three times and set them on fire twice.

His unlawful actions between June 11 and August 18 2023 prompted neighbours to alert the authorities of “thick black smoke”.

Mr Willoughby would admit setting alight two of those fly-tips at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 23.

The 53-year-old was ordered to pay court fines and costs totalling £464 and handed a 12-month community order, requiring him to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.

Speaking after the hearing, a Folkestone and Hythe District Council spokesperson said: “There is absolutely no excuse for fly-tipping or burning waste.

“It’s anti-social, bad for our environment and – as Mr Willoughby has discovered – comes at a price.

“The carpet, sofa, and upholstery dumped by Mr Willoughby could have been disposed of considerately using our bulky waste collection service or by visiting one of Kent County Council’s household waste recycling centres.”

Residents can report fly-tipping for investigation by visiting the council’s website.