A blundering fly-tipper who left letters with his address on in dumped waste has been ordered to stump up more than £1,000.

Alexandru Sava, from Maidstone, was prosecuted after two separate incidents in Whitstable Road, Herne Bay.

Canterbury City Council environmental officers launched an investigation after the rubbish - mostly black bin bags - was left between May 31 and June 22 last year.

They linked Sava to the mess after letters and envelopes with his address were found in the dump, but he ignored all requests to help with enquiries.

The case proceeded to court and when he initially pleaded not guilty by post prompting the matter to be listed for trial.

In his absence, the trial went ahead and he was found guilty.

The 35-year-old was fined £440, with a surcharge of £176 and the costs of the council’s prosecution of £500 – a total of £1,116.

Canterbury City Council’s director of people and place Suzi Wakeham said: “We take fly tipping in our district incredibly seriously and will vigorously pursue offenders wherever we can.

“The public has its role to play too. If you arrange for someone to take your rubbish away, please check they are a licensed waste carrier by looking at the Environment Agency’s website and make sure you ask for a receipt that includes the company’s details.

“Failure to do so could open you up to a fine if your rubbish is found somewhere it shouldn’t be.”