A property landlord has been fined £350 for leaving rubbish in an unsecured garage in Northfleet.

Gravesham Borough Council prosecuted Paramjit Singh Channa of Seymour Road, Northfleet, for non-compliance with a notice under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.

It is estimated that a tonne of rubbish was removed by the council from the garage in All Saints Road, Northfleet after it was reported by a member of the public.

A council officer visited the site in June 2008 after receiving the report from the public.

He saw a large amount of what appeared to be fly-tipped rubbish in a double garage which had no door or roof. The rubbish included mattresses, a three piece suite, clothes, bedding, and bags of household waste.

On March 20 he pleaded guilty to the offence at Dartford Magistrates' Court.

He was fined £350 with £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £15 in addition to having already paid the council £275 for the clearance of the rubbish.

Cabinet member Cllr John Cubitt said: “This case serves to show that the council takes the matter of dumping and littering very seriously and will take action in court if necessary to ensure that we keep Gravesham clean and safe.”