A man has been sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay almost £1,000 in costs after he dumped rubbish in a back street.
Steven Miller left chip board planks, waste bags, glass and a cardboard box behind Hereford Road.
A patrolling enforcement officer spotted the waste leaning against the back wall of Miller’s home in Bolton, on June 1, last year.
There was no reply at the property and a leaflet was posted requesting that the owner get in touch.
On June 5 the officer returned to the address and saw that the items were still there.
Miller admitted to putting the wood out and said he was going to take it to the tip. He refused to provide his personal details and began placing the wood inside his back yard
Miller’s details were later obtained and an £80 fine was issued but he failed to pay it.
On Wednesday, January 10, a trial was held at Bolton Magistrates Court.
The 43-year-old was found guilty of an offence of littering and magistrates gave him a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay legal costs of £973 plus a £20 victim surcharge. He also pleaded guilty to an offence of not providing details.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “There is simply no excuse for dumping rubbish in this way. Leaving the environment in this state affects everyone.
“The fact that this man was then obstructive made the process drawn out and ultimately led to a hearing where he received a sentence and high legal costs.
“I want this to be a clear message that we will not tolerate rubbish being dumped illegally and we will take action.”
Flytipping can be reported online www.bolton.gov.uk/flytipping and follow @keepboltontidy on Twitter for updates.