A WHITE van man who illegally dumped rubbish on a bridleway has been fined more than £1,000.

Residents are being warned to check the credentials of anyone offering to clear their homes after the prosecution of Abraham Smith, 53, of Ridgeway Close, Whaddon.

At a hearing at Cambridge Crown Court, Smith admitted dumping a sofa and other household waste in Ashwell Street, a bridleway in Bassingbourn. He had been leafleting in the area advertising house clearances, and had collected the rubbish from a home in Great Shelford.

The prosecution was brought by South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Smith was fined £500, ordered to pay the council’s costs of £540, and hit with a £50 victim surcharge. He has also been banned from driving for three months.

The owner of the rubbish was also issued with a formal caution.

Cllr Mick Martin, the district council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Fly tipping is something our residents detest and these cases highlight how important it is to check who you are paying to take your rubbish way. If they don’t have a waste carrier licence you could find yourself in court as it is your responsibility to make sure the waste is disposed of correctly.”

“We will continue to take a tough stance of fly tipping and would urge people to step forward and report it if you see this crime being carried out.”

Cllr Martin added that it is the responsibility of householders to make sure that they use authorised waste carriers, registered with the Environment Agency, to dispose of rubbish.

To check for licensed traders visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk and search the public register for waste carriers. You can also telephone 08708 506 506.

Anyone who sees fly tipping occuring should contact the Police on 999. To report waste that has been fly tipped in South Cambridgeshire, contact Chris Bradley or Martin Johnston at the district council on 03450 450 063.