A business-owner is more than £550 out of pocket after a fly-tipping incident was tracked back to his company van.

CCTV helped enforcement officers identify a vehicle used to dump 29 tyres next to the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester.

Richard Reeder, 33, of Cossack Street, Rochester, was contacted after checks on the van linking it to his address and business – Rik Fit Tyres.

A notice was served requesting details of the vehicle’s registered owner at the time of the fly-tip and whether that person was using it on February 9, 2013.

Officers also wanted to know whether the vehicle had been sold or scrapped and if so, to see documents conforming this.

Reeder did not respond, which landed him before Medway magistrates on a charge of failing to comply with the notice.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £200, £350 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Cllr Peter Hicks, who is in charge of community safety, said: “We don’t know who is responsible for this fly-tip, but Mr Reeder could have played a key role in helping officers find the culprit and if he had co-operated he would not have ended up in court.”

More than 4,000 tonnes of rubbish was cleared from streets in Medway last year.