ANOTHER flytipper has been convicted following action by a Hampshire council.

Matthew Bartlett, of Botley, dumped trash on a country lane in the Meon Valley and thought he had got away with it.

But Winchester City Council staff were able to trace the rubbish back to him. What started as a way of saving time and money has ended up costing Bartlett more than £6,000.

News of the prosecution comes after the county council announced it was appointing a specialist trouble shooter in its Trading Standards team to focus on countering the rise of tipping.

Bartlett appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three offences contrary to s.34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The prosecution related to a fly-tip discovered on a bridlepath off Cott Street, Droxford, in the South Downs National Park.

Bartlett breached his duty of care in relation to the waste which had been within his control and which was later found at the above location; by failing to ensure that it had been properly disposed of, by failing to ensure that the waste had been transferred to an authorised person for disposal and by failing to provide a written description of the waste.

District Judge Morgan fined Bartlett a total of £3,100. He was also ordered to pay £291.92 for the cost of clearing up the tips and £2,925 in prosecution and investigation costs, making the total financial penalty £6,316.92.

Cllr Lisa Griffiths, portfolio holder for community safety & neighbourhood services, said. “I hope that the successful prosecution of another fly-tipping perpetrator sends out a clear message that Winchester City Council will vigorously pursue those who carry out this anti-social offence, which is such a blight on our beautiful open spaces and when prosecution follows, will seek the most serious penalties for the offenders involved.”