A man has been jailed after being caught persistently fly-tipping across East Kent.

Rodney Matthews plead guilty to five offences across Folkestone, Romney Marsh and Dover, and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison at Folkestone Magistrates' Court.

The sentence is the longest custodial sentence for fly-tipping offences prosecuted by either Folkestone and Hythe or Dover District Council.

Matthews, of Willow Drive in St Mary's Bay, admitted to dumping waste in:

• Boyington Lane in Swingfield – including a bath tub, broken pieces of wood, and black bags full of waste
• Eastbridge Road in Dymchurch – including cardboard, plastic sheeting, carpet and bin liners
• Land off Shelvin Farm Road in Wootton – including items from a bathroom refurbishment and garden waste
• Flegis Court Lane in Hawkinge – including laminate flooring sections, rolled up carpet, and paint and gas containers
• Holloway Lane in Swingfield – including broken kitchen cupboards and worktops

"He was foolish enough to think he would get away..."

As well as serving the sentence, the 60-year-old has also been ordered to forfeit his vehicle and pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Cllr Stuart Peall, FHDC Cabinet Member for Enforcement, Regulatory Services, Waste and Building Control, said: "Rodney Matthews clearly had a flagrant attitude when it came to fly-tipping in our district, but he was foolish enough to think he would get away with damaging our local environment.

"The excellent outcome of this case is testament to the efforts of the officers involved, and acts as a warning to those even considering spoiling the appearance of the area by carrying out such inconsiderate actions.”

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, added: “Fly-tipping is a significant blight on the local environment. It’s a source of pollution, a potential danger to public health and a hazard to wildlife.

“We continue to work hard to tackle this important issue and to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate fly-tipping.”

Sergeant Darren Walshaw of Kent Police's Rural Task Force commented: “Fly-tipping is a large scale issue which blights communities across the county.

"We remain committed to tackling the problem and work closely with our colleagues at Dover District Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council to effectively target those who illegally dispose of their waste.

"This is a reflection of the close working relationship we have with local authorities across the county.”

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