A man who dumped tree logs and branches in an open field has been fined more than £1,000.

Sean Buckland pleaded guilty to fly-tipping in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, following a prosecution from Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC).

The successful prosecution followed the evidence of two witnesses - including the Mayor of Hawkinge, Cllr Glyn Hibbert.

Mr Buckland was a member of an unauthorised encampment staying on The Mound in 2018.

Tree logs and other branches were seen being unloaded from his white transit van nearby on July 1.

Despite initially suggesting he was not involved, Mr Buckland was unable to prove that anyone else was in control of the vehicle on the date and time in question.

Cllr Hibbert was one of two people to report the incident to the council, having seen the logs and branches being dumped from the van.

Although he couldn’t see the person who deposited the waste, the mayor took a note of the registration plate.

Mr Buckland appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court earlier this month and pleaded guilty to knowingly causing or permitting fly-tipping, contrary to Section 33 of the Environment Protection Act 1990.

He received a £450 fine, and was ordered to pay £670 costs and a £45 victim surcharge - leading to a total bill of £1,165.

Cllr Stuart Peall (Con), FHDC's cabinet member for enforcement, regulatory services, waste and building control, said: "This incident, sadly, was in addition of the other waste we had to clear when the encampment left the site.

"Fly-tipping spoils the appearance of our district for the majority of people who dispose of their waste properly.

"We encourage all residents who see such incidents to report it to us so we can win the war against fly-tipping."

Cllr Hibbert added: "Hawkinge Town Council and residents are very pleased with the outcome of the court case, and we thank the district council’s environmental team for persisting with this matter as fly-tipping is unacceptable."

The prosecution against Mr Buckland is just the latest example of FHDC taking action against those ignoring the law.

In January, a man was fined £400 after a single cardboard box, filled with household waste, was found dumped in Hythe.

Two women from Folkestone - Samantha Beazley and Tara James - received fines for leaving rubbish and furniture to rot in the town.

And Kelvin Rumsey, from Elham, received a bill of £2,155.80 for operating a rogue taxi business.

And then in September last year, the owners of former Two Bells Inn, in Canterbury Road, Folkestone, were ordered to pay nearly £2,000 after the rear garden of the pub filled with rubbish.

To report an issue of flytipping in the Folkestone district, visit here.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone