A man has been convicted of two separate fly-tipping offences after falsely posing as a waste collector online.

George Rutledge, from Gravesend, was caught after investigators found that he advertised a rubbish removal service on social media but had no waste carrier's licence.

In May 2021 the occupant of a van belonging to Rutledge was seen to fly-tip waste outside private garages in Park Avenue, Northfleet.

The next month Gravesham council received a report of a large fly tip in Cobhambury Road, Cobham, and evidence led to Ruttledge having collected the waste that had been fly-tipped.

An officer from the council's environmental enforcement team opened an investigation which found his advertisements on social media.

Rutledge was served notice requiring him to provide documents in relation to the offences, but did not respond or attend an interview.

He was summoned for two offences of fly-tipping, the offence of failing to provide required documentation, and the offence of failing to have a waste carrier's permit.

On Friday January 6 he appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court in relation to two cases of fly-tipping which took place in the Gravesham area in 2021.

During the hearing, Ruttledge, who was represented, admitted all four offences.

The court considered a custodial sentence, however due to mitigation he was sentenced to serve a 12 month community order and to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

He has also been ordered to pay £1,390 in costs and a victim surcharge of £95.

Gravesham Council’s cabinet member for community and leisure, Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, said: "We will not tolerate fly-tipping in Gravesham and will continue to investigate these offences time and time again.

"I hope that the punishment issued by the court, and the consequences of fly tipping, will act as a deterrent..."

"As a council we will do everything within our power to ensure that those that fly-tip in our borough face consequences.

"I hope that the punishment issued by the court, and the consequences of fly tipping, will act as a deterrent to those who refuse to cooperate with our Environmental Enforcement Team’s investigations and to those that think it is acceptable dump rubbish illegally in our borough.

"Can I also remind residents before you allow anyone to remove your rubbish or waste, you must ensure they that they are registered as a Waste Carrier with the Environment Agency.

"Please do not advertise on social media for a waste carrier as many responses that you'll likely receive will be from illegitimate carriers and result in your rubbish being fly-tipped.

"If you use an unlicensed waste removal service you commit a criminal offence and you could face a £400 fine."