A FLY-TIPPER has been slapped with a fine totalling more than £1,000 after illegally dumping rubbish near Romsey.

Jason Love, of Hayburn Road, Southampton, admitted to fly-tipping on Wednesday (October 21) having previously failed to show up for court on October 16.

Love was driving along Toothill Road in July last year when he dumped a toilet, broken tiles, plastic buckets and plumbing materials on the side of the road.

The fly-tip was witnessed and, after an investigation to track down the vehicle was launched by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), patrol officers from Southampton City Council spotted the vehicle in Shirley High Street.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Love was handed a £1,600 fine, ordered to pay £839.50 in costs and £240 in compensation.

Environmental portfolio holder, Cllr Alison Johnston, said: “This is a fine example of how agencies, whether it’s councils or police, will work together to catch those responsible for this crime. Anyone who believes it’s acceptable to simply dump their waste on the side of the road without consequence is hugely mistaken, and can expect a knock on their door.

“My thanks go to the hard work of our environmental service, our legal team and of course to the great partnership work with Southampton City Council.

"As ever, if you’re in doubt about your waste, please contact us on 01794 527700 or 01264 368000, and remember to always check your waste carrier’s licence.”

Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities at Southampton City Council, Cllr Dave Shields said: “The cost of constantly clearing dumped rubbish is paid for by every resident in every city, not just the councils that clear it up. This conviction underlines our commitment to working in a joined up way with other authorities.

“Prosecuting someone for fly-tipping is the worst possible outcome for everyone, we’d much rather people did the right thing and disposed of rubbish in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly way, through the proper channels, by taking waste to their local Household Waste and Recycling Centre, booking a council bulky waste collection or using a licensed waste carrier.”

This comes after two fly-tippers were ordered to pay nearly £3,000 following an investigation by TVBC.

On Friday, October 16, both Richard Whittaker and Adam Whitcher pleaded guilty to illegally dumping their waste in two separate incidents that happened around Romsey.

Whittaker, of Fleming Avenue, North Baddesley, admitted fly-tipping wood from a guinea pig hutch in a layby along Lee Lane on April 17 2019.

Whitcher, of Hayward Close, Totton, admitted to fly-tipping after concrete blocks were thrown out of his car window along Toothill Road when he was driving to the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Romsey in August last year.