A MAN was caught and fined for fly-tipping – after an address found among the garbage led to his arrest.

Martin Rowe, 26 of Greenfields Close, was this fined and order to pay costs to the tune of £1,227 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court, this month.

In May last year, a large fly-tip of cupboards, bed frames, a mattress, carpet, children’s play equipment and household waste was found on a bridle path at Old Barns Lane, Blackmore.

Chelmsford City Council officers, who inspected the rubbish, found packaging and documents with an address in Brentwood, which led them to Rowe’s ex-girlfriend.

As part of the investigation, a mother and daughter were interviewed under caution.

During the interview, the daughter indicated she had given £20 to Rowe, her ex-partner, to dispose of the waste legally.

Rowe was also interviewed, and claimed after removing the rubbish from the property, he gave it to a rag-and-bone man who took it away, but did not have details for the person he handed the waste.

He pleaded guilty to environmental protection offences – a duty of care - and was fined £770, on Thursday June 9.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £180, compensation of £200 and a victim surcharge of £77.

Councillor Ian Grundy, Chelmsford City Council cabinet member for communities, said: “Giving waste to a rag-and-bone man and paying them in cash may seem like an easy, convenient way to dispose of your rubbish, but there can be hidden costs.

“The Waste Regulations 2005 make householders legally responsible for ensuring their rubbish is only passed on to an authorised person for disposal.

“If you don’t check that they are a registered waste carrier, you still have a duty of care and may find yourself fined up to £5,000 for their fly-tipping.”