A STREET cleaner lost his job and ended up in court for flytipping rubbish while working for Vale of White Horse District Council’s waste contractor.

David Collett, 48, from Denchworth Road, Wantage, let a neighbour load rubbish into a works van belonging to Veolia Environmental Services, a contractor employed by the council to empty its bins.

Collett had also used the van the day before, April 24, to remove concrete and rubbish from a garden for extra cash, a Vale of White Horse spokesman said.

But when he drove to work early the following morning he was worried it had a full load so he drove to the Ridgeway and dumped it, the court was told.

However, council investigators found letters among the waste from his neighbour – which led them to Collett.

He was interviewed at Wantage Police Station where he initially denied the offence, but then admitted it.

While investigating the incident, the council was also alerted to rubbish dumped outside Collett’s home. Collett claimed he had forgotten about the trash, which had been left after clearing a house for a friend on April 10.

At Didcot Magistrates’ Court, Collett admitted two cases of flytipping near Letcombe Bassett, and was fined £100.

Collett lost his job.

The case was brought by Vale of White Horse District Council.

Environment warden Colin Marshall, said: “Working for our waste collection company at the time, Mr Collett should really have known better.

“Not only has his actions cost him his job, but he now has a fine, along with a criminal conviction.”

Angela Lawrence, executive member for environmental health, said: “We take a very hard line on flytipping as it ruins our beautiful district.”

Gavin Walton, a spokesman for the Vale council, said Verdant took over from Veolia as the council’s waste contractor on October 4 and said there was no connection between the organisations.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk Flytipping can be reported to the council by calling 01235 520202.