A WOMAN who dumped bags full of household waste by the roadside has been ordered to pay £265 in fines and costs by magistrates.

Stacey Whitlock, 25, of The Lees, Faringdon, pleaded guilty at Didcot Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday to fly-tipping domestic waste in hedgerows along Fernham Road, nearthe town, in April.

The waste, which was dumped next to a metal gate, included four refuse sacks containing cans, newspapers and plastic.

Whitlock was caught after a member of the public reported the dump and an.environment warden went out to inspect the site.

The rubbish was traced back to Whitlock as letters addressed to her were in the bags.

She was interviewed under caution on April 28 and admitted dumping the waste.

She said that she had been on her way to get rid of the rubbish at the Stanford in the Vale recycling centre, but abandoned the idea after getting a personal call. She then decided to dump the rubbish.

Whitlock was fined £50 and ordered to pay £215 in costs.

Angela Lawrence, executive member for environmental health at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Fly-tipping is a very antisocial act which costs a substantial amount of council taxpayer’s money to clean up each year.

“To make matters worse, this individual had been on her way to the recycling centre at the time and was fully aware of the need to dispose of rubbish properly.”

  • Anyone who sees illegal waste dumping in the Vale area, or who has a problem with fly-tipping, should call 01235 520202.