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Flytipper fined £700

A flytipper who dumped building waste near a busy main road has been ordered to pay more than £700 by a court.

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Councillor John Preece

Brad Smith, from Rugeley, was successfully prosecuted after environmental officers from Cannock Chase Council sifted through material left on land off the A5 in Bridgtown.

Documentation discovered in the waste linked the culprit a property in Stafford, magistrates heard.

Officers found that Smith had advertised his waste disposal services on Facebook and had been paid to remove the waste and dispose of it correctly.

Smith pleaded guilty to the flytipping incident, which took place in November 2016. He was fined £250 and ordered to pay costs and surcharge of £480.

Welcoming the prosecution, Councillor John Preece, environment portfolio leader, said “We are determined to stamp out these rogue operators who blight our communities and our countryside by illegally dumping waste but we do need the public’s help.

"This case demonstrates that when we have the evidence, we will be rigorous in pursuing the offender and securing a conviction."

He urged people to check the credentials of anyone offering waste disposal services especially when advertised on social media. Smith was reported by a member of the public who was handed £100 reward by the council.