A prolific fly-tipper has been jailed for dumping rubbish in several parts of Kent.

Ashley Martin, 30, had previously received a suspended sentence and fines for fly-tipping during 2012 and 2013.

Yet during June 2015, he collected waste for cash from a property in Tunbridge Wells which he then dumped in a car park belonging to Ashdown Forest in St John’s Road, Crowborough.

The waste was set alight resulting in the fire service being called out.

Martin, from Tunbridge Wells, also dumped rubbish in areas of Tonbridge and Malling and East Sussex.

In September 2015 he collected waste for cash from a property in East Sussex and drove to a freshly ploughed field at Ladies Mile, Withyham, to tip it, leaving the farmer the task of clearing it up.

Hastings Magistrates sentenced Martin to eight months in prison for the two fly tips, together with more than £450 additional costs and charges.

They treated the breach of the previous suspended sentence very seriously and gave him an extra 161 days custodial sentence to be served consecutively with the eight months.

Martin was sentenced to a total of 13 months in prison.

Councillor Ann Newton, Wealden District Council's cabinet member for planning and development said: “The courts have made it clear that they will not tolerate repeated fly tipping.

"Unscrupulous businesses still operate by taking money from householders and businesses to dispose of their waste, then pocketing the cash and despoiling the countryside.

“I would remind anyone before they make use of a waste disposal service to ask to see their Waste Carrier’s Licence before letting them take anything away.

“I would like to thank enforcement officers at Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council who have helped with this prosecution. Our enforcement team will continue to pursue fly tippers and prosecute whenever possible.”