A MAN who fly-tipped in Barton Stacey has been told he is ‘certain’ to see the inside of a prison cell if he commits another fly-tip after being fined hundreds of pounds.

John Draper, of Castle Flooring based in Portchester, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Monday after he dumped a huge amount of commercial waste outside a field on Bullington Lane in September.

Draper initially suggested during the hearing that it wasn’t him who dumped the waste, and that it was someone he had outsourced work to. However, he then shortly changed his mind and again admitted that he was the person to dump the considerable waste from the vehicle.

Following is guilty plea the judge, Mr Recorder Barry McElduff fined the Fareham man £440, as well as £74.50 in compensation, £225.50 in costs and a victim surcharge of £44.

The judge added that if Draper comes before the court again for a similar offence, then he will ‘certainly’ be going to prison, Test Valley Borough Council has reported.

The case was brought before the court following an investigation by the borough council.

Environmental portfolio holder, Cllr Alison Johnston, said: “I hope this serves as a clear message to anyone thinking they can get away with flouting the law, that they will be investigated and we will seek to prosecute.

“This man has now had to spend a day in crown court, been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds and been told that he faces a custodial sentence if he repeats any similar offence, or if he fails to pay his fine within six months.

“If you do have any queries as to how to rid of your waste responsibly, please contact us on 01264 368000 or 01794 527700. And don’t forget, if you are using a waste carrier, to check on the Environment Agency website for their credentials. Your waste is your responsibility.”