ENFORCERS at Braintree Council are warning residents of the consequences of fly-tipping after securing a successful prosecution.

A 41-year-old man from Haverhill has been fined and ordered to pay costs after he admitted fly-tipping in the district.

The council said the prosecution sends a “clear message” to businesses that their waste is their responsibility.

In April 2020, a member of the public reported that two men were fly-tipping waste from a van over a bridge on to a disused railway line in Baythorne End, Birdbrook.

Officers found evidence that the waste originated from an address in Stevenage and were able to link that to a company that had carried out the disposal work.

The person operating the company that carried out the work was also the registered keeper of the van.

In February this year, a 41-year-old male from Haverhill was summonsed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on charges of fly-tipping.

He failed to attend and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

He was later arrested and taken to court where he denied the charges.

Last month a trial was held at Basildon Magistrates’ Court and upon hearing the evidence, the man admitted the charges.

He was fined and ordered to pay costs which in total came to £1,156 and now has a criminal record.

Braintree Council environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “We take fly-tipping very seriously and will investigate and prosecute those who don’t dispose of their waste in a responsible way.

“This prosecution sends a clear message to businesses that if you’re doing work, it’s your waste and it’s your responsibility.

“We would also urge residents who ask a third party to dispose of their waste for them, to always check that they have a valid waste carriers licence before doing so.”

You can report fly-tipping, dumped rubbish or litter to Braintree Council at braintree.gov.uk/flytipping or call 01376 552525.