A fly-tipper has been ordered to pay £2,272 after a pile of rubbish was found dumped.

On July 23 last year, Medway Council received a report of waste in Darnley Road, Strood, being unloaded from a van.

An investigation found Michael Arnold, of Kitchener Avenue, Chatham, had been paid by a Rochester resident to dispose of items from their home.

The 37-year-old was sent a notice asking questions about the waste and ordering him to provide officers with copies of a valid waste carrier and scrap metal licence, but he failed to respond.

Arnold pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notice and to knowingly causing, or knowingly permitting, controlled waste to be illegally dumped at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday last week.

He was fined £1,666, ordered to pay costs of £439.05 and a pay victim surcharge of £167.

Portfolio holder covering enforcement, Cllr Jane Chitty (Con) said: “If residents are employing someone to remove waste from their home, I would encourage them to check whether the trader has a valid waste carriers' licence by calling the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.

"I would also like to use this opportunity to thank residents for continuing to report fly-tipping incidents to us. We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to do all we can to prosecute those involved in fly-tipping.”

To report fly-tipping click here.

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