A man caught dumping a sofa, carpet and builder’s waste in the countryside has been fined more than £900.

Paul Hunter, 52, of Stake Piece Road, Royston, pleaded guilty to the charge of Fly Tipping under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 when he appeared at Cambridge Magistrates Court on June 23.

He was fined £500, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £50 and South Cambridgeshire District Council’s costs of £360. The total fine was £910.

A member of the public reported seeing Mr Hunter in a layby in Chestnut Lane, Bassingbourn-Cum-Kneesworth, where he unload the contents of a transit van.

The witness recorded the registration number and council enforcement officers spoke to the DVLA before visiting Mr Hunter’s address.

Mr Hunter was aware that the council was investigating the fly tip and returned to the layby and retrieved the items that he had dumped. He then disposed of the items lawfully.

Councillor Mark Howell, cabinet member for environmental services at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Everyone I talk to thinks fly tipping is totally unacceptable and we make no bones about taking action against those who think they are above the law.

“Mr Hunter clearly knew he was in the wrong as after we began investigating, he went back to clear up his mess. The simple fact is he shouldn’t have dumped the rubbish in the first place and he has paid a financial price for his actions.”