A 48-year-old man from Sheppey is £5,000 out of pocket after being found guilty of transporting waste that ended up being fly-tipped.

Lee Jacobs, of Cheyne Road, Eastchurch, was prosecuted by Swale council after a mound of rubbish was found dumped in Shellness Road, Leysdown, in October last year.

The council investigated and found Jacobs had been paid to remove it but could not provide the paperwork giving him the authority to do so.

Jacobs pleaded not guilty to two charges – handling the waste and transporting it without the necessary paperwork – but he failed to turn up to a trial at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday last week.

However, when magistrates were presented with evidence from the council’s investigation, he was found guilty of both offences.

Magistrates fined Jacobs £1,500 for each offence and ordered him to pay £1,614.56 costs and a £150 victim surcharge. The total amount of £4,764 has to be paid within 28 days.

Cllr Alan Horton, cabinet member for safer families and communities at the council, said the authority was delighted with the result.

"The council spends significant sums of council taxpayers’ money every year clearing up fly-tipping," he said.

"Anyone transporting someone else's waste on the highway must be registered with the Environment Agency to do so.

"The council has an excellent record in tackling waste crime. In this case, we were able to trace the waste back to the defendant and prosecute the offender.

"The council spends significant sums of council taxpayers’ money every year clearing up fly-tipping" - Cllr Alan Horton

"Responsible carriers know the rules and I urge people to be wary of those offering to get rid of waste cheaply – if it's dumped, you could be prosecuted for failing to take reasonable steps in preventing a fly tipping incident."

To check whether someone is licensed to carry waste, call the Environment Agency on 03708 506506.