A Tunbridge Wells man who dumped toxic material contaminated with asbestos in a garden has been prosecuted.

Lee Clarke of Park Road, Southborough failed to attend Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court yesterday but in his absence was found guilty of the offence.

The court heard in July last year he left the material in the front garden of a property in Nelson Avenue, Tonbridge.

The resident of the property, who was at home at the time, was alarmed by Clarke's actions and aggressive manner and called the police immediately.

Investigations to identify the fly tipper led to an address in Southborough, and the culprit was tracked down.

Clarke was then invited to the borough council’s offices on two occasions to be interviewed but failed to turn up to either.

On the day of prosecution his absence in court and failure to submit a plea or take responsibility for his actions were taken into account along with his aggression towards the property owner.

The bench imposed a fine of £1,500, ordered that Clarke pay £668.40 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

Cllr Mrs Jill Anderson, Tonbridge & Malling borough council's cabinet member for housing and environmental services, said: "There is no excuse for fly tipping. Dumping waste, especially when the waste consists of toxic material such as asbestos, is hazardous to the public, harmful to the environment and continues to be a huge financial burden on the council taxpayer. It will not be tolerated and we will do all we possibly can to ensure that those who deface our environment in this way are brought to justice."