A Dover electrician has been handed a £440 fine after fly-tipping was discovered in a woodland in Lydden.

Jason Goddard, of Durban Crescent in Dover, pleaded guilty to duty of care offences under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Under this act all businesses and householders have a duty to ensure their waste is not fly-tipped, is stored in a manner to prevent its escape, and is only transferred to an authorised person.

It is also necessary to obtain and retain a waste transfer note from the person collecting the waste.

Dover District Council brought the prosecution after an investigation which began on October 12, 2014 when fly-tipping was discovered in a wooded area on Swanton Lane, Lydden.

Documentation addressed to Mr Goddard and an address in Tenterden was discovered in the waste.

Following an interview under caution Mr Goddard confirmed he had undertaken electrical work at Tenterden.

He also confirmed photographic and documentary exhibits shown to him were of waste he had paid some men £25 to take away from his property.

Mr Goddard failed to check whether he was transferring his waste to an authorised person and did not obtain any written description of what was transferred and to whom.

He appeared at Canterbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 18, and was fined £440 along with £44 victim surcharge, £150 costs and £160 compensation payable to the landowner.

Dover District Council is reminding residents and businesses of the responsibility to ensure their waste is disposed of properly.

Failing to do so may lead to prosecution.

Residents who witness illegal waste disposal are encouraged to report it online at www.dover.gov.uk.