A MAN has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting fly-tipping following a garden clearance in Christchurch.

Dominic Adrian Woods, aged 33, of no-fixed abode, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping at Weymouth Magistrates' Court on February 17.

The court heard that Woods, together with another man, owned and operated a business called RightWey Man and Van Services.

In June, last year, they undertook a garden clearance at a home in Christchurch for which the householder paid £150 for, and was issued with a Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note for the waste removed.

They returned to complete more work at the home a few days later, this time removing concrete paving slabs, tarmac and other construction waste. Again, the householder paid £150, however on this occasion no Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note was issued.

The householder’s construction waste, instead of being taken to a licensed site for disposal, was then dumped in a hedged area on private land at Coldharbour, Chickerell near Weymouth. There was no permit for waste disposal at this site.

Woods was handed a four-week prison sentence, suspended for 12-months, and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

He was also made subject of a criminal behaviour order, effectively banning him from operating in the controlled waste industry for five years.

Dorset Council portfolio holder for customer, community and regulatory services, Cllr Tony Alford, said: "Flytipping is a blight on our community and a drain on taxpayers’ money, so we take a firm stance when it happens. We will always pursue all avenues to hold offenders to account.

“Residents should report fly-tips to us, only use reputable businesses or individuals if they need help moving their rubbish and get a waste transfer note when handing items to someone else to dispose of.

"They risk prosecution and a criminal record if their waste is fly-tipped and they are unable to show they took reasonable steps to prevent it.”

The criminal behaviour order for Woods means he cannot be involved in any business which involves collecting, transporting, depositing, storing or processing controlled waste from any residential, commercial or business premises of which he is not the owner or occupier for five years.